NEW AUDIO PRODUCTS 1981 Summer Consumer Electronics Show

1981 25

Julian Hirsch discusses: HOW MUCH FM -TUNER SENSITIVITY DO YOU NEED?

FIRST TEST Sound Concepts SX-80 CX Adaptor

ALSO TESTED THIS MONTH Adcom GFP-1 Preamplifier Altec 6 Speaker System Audio-Technica AT155LC Phono Cartridge Nikko NR -1000 AM/FM Stereo Receiver

DISC SPECIALS Woman of the Year Jackie and Roy Chaka Khan Kitty and the Haywoods Willie "The Lion" Smith Grappelli/Grisman Gidon and Elena Kremer Sutherland/Horne/Pavarotti No Pogorelich Four Carminas Brendel's Haydn Marriner's Handel

VIDEO SPECIAL "Michael Nesmith in Elephant Parts"

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1. The microprocessor 2. The programmable balance control and 11 -step bass, tre- controlled, digital 16 -station memory. ble and midrange controls to adjust the You can also store eight AM and eight response exactly the way you want it. synthesized, quartz You also get A -B -Both speaker switch- locked tuner. FM stations in the computer memory for instant pushbutton recall. Adding or ing, inputs and dubirnonitor controls Don't let the technical terms frighten changing memorized stations is easy, for two tape decks, hi and lo filters and you. Simply put, the tuner is comput- and memory contents are protected for more. All enclosed in a walnut veneer erized. Incredibly accurate. Very easy one hour, if AC power fails, or if you (not plastic or metal) cabinet. to use. Even easier to love. When you need to unplug the receiver. tune this new Realistic, soft -touch but- 5. We build it. We back it. tons take you to the exact center of the 3. Power and protection. Engineering and manufacturing the channel you want. Select the search The STA-2250's audio amplifier deliv- STA-2250 in our own factory helps us mode and gain instant access to all 109 ers a powerful 50 watts per channel, to price it lower, and also eliminates AM and 99 FM broadcast frequencies. minimum rms into 8 ohms, from 20- buck passing when it comes to quality Or choose the automatic mode and 20,000 Hz, with no more than 0.02% control and service. As with every stop only at stronger stations. Either total harmonic distortion. You get com- Realistic stereo receiver, you get a two- way, a triple muting system silences plete protection against overdriving, year parts and labor limited warranty, tuning noise, and a quartz crystal ref- overheating and speaker wiring shorts. honored wherever you see the Radio erence corrects the circuit over 11 mil- The sophisticated muting system even Shack sign. So if you are starting or up- lion times each second. Two major protects your speakers and ears from grading a stereo system, auditiori the causes of distortion - drift and tuning "thumps" and "pops" when you select STA-2250 at one of our 7500 + loca- error - are eliminated. With the STA- sound sources. tions today. Once you compare its ef- 2250 you get a clean, uncluttered front fortless tuning and flawless musical panel featuring a six -step LED signal 4. The heart of a performance with receivers costing strength readout and a bright LED fre- complete system. hundreds more, you'll know why we quency display you can easily read The STA-2250 is a very versatile con- put reason number six on a separate from across a room. trol center. Use the 40 -step volume/ line . . . The Amazing Realistic STA-2250: Only 5429.95* at Radio ihaek THE NATIONWIDE SUPERMARKET OF SOUND' 'Retail price may vary at individual stores and dealers FORMERLY (ISSN 0039-1220)

ell ewe SEPTEMBER 1981 VOLUME 46 NUMBER 9 rfiecEquipment NEW PRODUCTS Roundup of the latest audio equipment and accessories 16 AUDIO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Measurement Capabilities, Off -shore Video, Specialized Speakers LARRY KLEIN 20 CAR STEREO New Equipment at CES iVANBERGER 24 TAPE TALK Different Dolbys, Tape Wear, Capstan Cleaners, Unequal Highs CRAIG STARK. 28 TECHNICAL TALK How Much FM -Tuner Sensitivity Do You Need? JULIAND.HIRSCH 35 EQUIPMENT TEST REPORTS Hirsch -Houck Laboratories test results on the Sound Concepts SX-80 CX adaptor, Altec 6 speaker system, Adcom GFP-I preamplifier, Nikko NR -I000 AM/FM stereo receiver, and Audio-Technica ATI 55LC phono cartridge JULIAND.HIRSCH 36 PREVIEW FOR BUYERS: NEW AUDIO PRODUCTS SHOWN AT CES-81 Tape and Tape Decks CRAIG STARK. 61 Receivers, Amplifiers, and Tuners PETER MITCHELL 63 Turntables, Phono Cartridges, and Speakers RALPH HODGES. 69 Minis, Casceivers, and Portables BRAD MEYER. 76 ate BEST RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH 78 Gidon and Elena Kremer: Two New Discs 78 Sutherland/Horne/Pavarotti 81 Kitty and the Haywoods' Capitol Debut 80 Woman of the Year 82 CLASSICAL MUSIC 84 Ivo Pogorelich's Chopin 86 Camerata Bern Plays the Mannheim School 100 Four NewCarminas 90 Neville Marriner's Handel 103 Alfred Brendel: Haydn Piano Sonatas 94 POPULAR MUSIC 104 Chaka Khan: "What Cha' Gonna Do 106 "Michael Nesmith in Elephant Parts" 116 Jackie and Roy: "East of Suez" 108 Stephane Grappelli/David Crisman 124 The Secret Policemen's Ball-The Music 112 Willie "The Lion" Smith 130 Wecitgulars

BULLETIN WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE 5 SPEAKING OF MUSIC WILLIAM ANDERSON LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 10 GOING ON RECORD JAMES GOODFRIEND 58 ADVERTISERS' INDEX 130

COVER: Design byBorys Patchowsky; photobyBruce Pendleton.

COPYRIGHT (ID 1981 BY ZIFF-DAVIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. All and at additional mailing offices. Auth.ized as second-class mail by the Post rights reserved. Stereo Review. September 1981. Volume 46. Number 9. Pub- Office Department, Ottawa. Canada. and for payment of postage in cash. lished monthly by Ziff -Davis Publishing Company. Editorial and Executive POSTMASTER: Forms 3579 and address changes should be sent to Stereo Offices at One Park Avenue. New York, New York 10016; Telephone: 212 Review, Circulation Department, P.O.Box 2771, Boulder, Colorado 80302. 725-3500. Richard P. Friese, President; Furman Hebb, Executive Vice Pres- SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: All subscription correspondence should be ident; Selwyn Taubman, Treasurer; Bertram A. Abrams, Secretary. Also addressed to Stereo Review. Circulation Department. P.O. Box 2771, Boul- publishers of Backpacker. Boating. Car and Driver, Cycle. Fly Fisherman. der. Colorado 80302. Please allow at least eight weeks for change of address. Flying. Popular Electronics, Popular Photography. Psychology Today. Skiing, Include old address aswell as new --enclosingifpossible an address Stereo Directory, and Tape Recording & Buying Guide. One-year subscrip- label from a recent issue. PERMISSIONS: Material in this publication may tion rate for the United States and its possessions, $9.98; Canada. $10.98. All not be reproduced in any form without permission. Requests for permission other countries. one-year subscription rate 114.98, cash orders only, payable should be directed to John Babcock, Rights and Permissions, Ziff -Davis in U.S. currency Second-class postage paid at New York. New York 10016 Publishing Company. One Park Avenue, New York. New York 10016. IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS...

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Edited by William Livingstone PRINCE CHARLES AND LADY DIANA make for peace in Amsterdam, and scenes of disc debut! They are not appearing in their honeymoon in Paris. When they a musical called The Kinq and Di, but were shown in London in 1970, eight of by the time you read this, the BBC, the prints were removed from the show along with England's National Research by officers from Scotland Yard, but Development Corporation, will have charges of indecency were overturned recorded the wedding of Prince Charles in court, and a magistrate ruled that and Lady Diana Spencer in surround the eight erotic lithographs were sound. The audio design for the event "unlikely to deprave or corrupt." The called for five Calrec Soundfield U.S. exhibits are managed by Tour Art, microphones, one on the approach to St.a Seattle company, which will have Paul's Cathedral, four inside. These four sets of the prints on the road at mikes not only provide conventional one time. Admission: $3.00, of which four -channel signals, but transduced 25C will go to the Spirit Foundation. sonic height information as well. Also specified were a twenty -four -track DOMINGO & DENVER, TOGETHER AT LAST! analog tape recorder with a Telcom C4 Placid() Domingo is back and John Denver noise -reduction system. The recording has got him. Or is it the other way will be released on a UHJ-quadraphonic around? Anyway, CBS Masterworks has disc. Since the House of Windsor owns announced for September release a joint the copyright, will they also collect album by operatic tenor Domingo and the...er...royalties? Rocky Mountain countertenor (?) Denver. Placido and John do a duet or. Denver's MITSUBISHI AND AEG-TELEFUNKEN have song Perhaps Love, and John provides made an agreement to cooperate in the guitar accompaniment for Placido on one development of professional digital other track. Domingo sings the rest of audio tape recorders. This alliance the album unaided, such tunes as My is similar to the one formed for the Treasure, He Couldn't Love You More, same purpose by Sony (Japan), Studer and Now While I Still Remember How. (Switzerland), and MCI (United States) Predictably, the formats developed by INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED PIANISTS the two groups are incompatible. Richard Goode, Charles Rosen, and Ruth Laredo are currently making debuts on THE BIG SURPRISE POP SUCCESS OF 1981 the Nonesuch label with recital discs. is REO Speedwagon's "Hi Infidelity" on An album of works by Schumann released Epic. The band's eleventh album, it in August is the first solo recording is their first to hit the number -one by Goode, winner of the Avery Fisher spot in Billboard's charts, a position Prize for 1980. "Beethoven's Great it has held longer than Pink Floyd's Middle Period Sonatas" performed by "The Wall," John and Yoko's "Double Rosen is also an August release. And Fantasy," and the Eagles' "The Long this summer Miss Laredo recorded the Run." Among the claims made for REO's late Samuel Barber's Sonata for Piano, "Hi Infidelity" is that this is the a work with which she has been closely first time since 1945 that a group has associated, for release early in 1982. held the top spot for so long with its first number -one record. Last holder TEXACO's LIVE FROM THE MET series on of that honor was the Glenn Miller the Public Broadcasting Service begins Orchestra. For more on REO Speedwagon its 1981-1982 season on September 30 see "Popular Music Briefs," page 104. with Verdi's La Traviata. Taped last March at the Metropolitan Opera, this JOHN LENNON/BAG ONE, a series of performance is sung by Ileana Cotrubas, fourteen lithographs created by Lennon Placido Domingo, and Cornell MacNeil. in 1969, will be shown at galleries in James Levine conducts. Other operas one hundred American cities this fall. to be telecast later in the season are The prints show Lennon's wedding to Puccini's Trittico and La Boheme as Yoko Ono in Gibraltar, their bed -in well as Verdi's Rigoletto.

September 1981 Conductor Leonard Slatkin and the orchestra, perhaps slightly embarrassed by overestimations of the piece in advance pub- Speakina of iflutic licity, tended to be influenced by the "nine- year -old" aspect of the thing and swept the music under the rug with a lackluster performance. I, on the other hand, expected By William more of it-it is, after all, by Mozart-and still think I was right to do so. It is not, to be Anderson sure, the "Jupiter," but if you are going to commit yourself to play a convention -filled but well -constructed trifle, do not trifle- play it for all, not less, than it's worth. In this case the reduced orchestra sounded perfunctory and leaden when it should have sounded enthusiastic and bright. In addition, Slatkin conducted from the harpsichord keyboard, and that somehow managed to look like condescension (though that was surely not his intention), particularly since the instrument itself was a rather anemic -soundinglittlemosquito ofthe breed. Even so, I was quite taken with The PREJUDICED LISTENING slow movement, one of those endearing, opera -drenched Mozart tunes that begs to be sung, and hope to hear it again under WHEN a loudspeaker designer puts the music, are formed as much by what we al- better circumstances. product of his drawing board into an ready know about it and what we expect Response to the juvenilia was as languor- anechoic chamber to see how it "really" from it as by the music itself. That may ous as the performance (it was, to be fair, a sounds without the adulterating echoes of have been what happened to Mozart's little very hot night), and the general lassitude room reflections, he knows as well as you Symphony in F Major, K.I 9a, which re- seemed to pervade both orchestra and au- and I do that there is very little "reality" to ceived its third American performance (the dience through the following "Linz" Sym- be encountered there, that what is actually first was at the White House, the second at phony as well. A buzz of excited anticipa- involved is a vain desire to inject a bit of Kennedy Center) in the mid -July opening tion swept both sides of the proscenium af- objectivity into the most unyieldingly sub- concert of this season's Mostly Mozart Fes- ter intermission, however: Alicia de Larro- jective area in all of audio. Sooner or later, tival at New York's Lincoln Center. Writ- cha was to play Mozart's Piano Concerto however, that speaker will have to come out ten in London in 1765 when Mozart was No. 24, and the air was perceptibly charged of the closet; when it does, it will be judged only nine (he was there to play at the court when that tidy figure strode purposefully by ears already prejudiced by listening to of George Ill), the work was long thought out of the wings to fill the stage, the hall, other speakersinother rooms, already to be lost but was discovered in a private and, forallIknow, the trembling, un- primed by expectations it may not be able to collection in Germany last fall (see "Bulle- bounded welkin far above with the sound of fulfill. tin" page in the May issue). But there, you Mozart, glorious Mozart. Not for nothing is Something very similar often takes place see, we already know too much about it to De Larrocha known as the Queen of the in the more specifically musical sphere as be objectively fair:itis by Mozart (who Festival, and not for nothing, apparently, is well. It is literally impossible to hear a piece competes only with himself), and a nine- Expectation a vital part of musical pleasure. of music in, so to speak, an anexperiential year -old Mozart at that (what could the kid Three cheers, then, for prejudiced listening, vacuum, and our impressions, even of new have known about symphonies at that age?). for we cannot avoid it in any case.

LONDON EDITOR Western Office 213 387-2100 HENRY PLEASANTS 3460 Wilshire Boulevard Stereo Review Los Angeles, California 900t0 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS CHRIS ALBERTSON PAUL KRESH Japan. James Yagi PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Op Palace Aoyama. 6-25. Mmami Aoyama SIDNEY HOLTZ IRV COHN STODDARD LINCOLN 6-Chome. Minato.ku, Tokyo, Japan NOEL COPPAGE LINCOLN PERRY Telephone 407.1930,6821.582-2851 EDITOR IN CHIEF RICHARD FREED WILLIAM ANDERSON PETER REILLY PHYL GARLAND EBET ROBERTS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Circulation Office DAVID HALL CHARLES RODRIGUES P.O. Box 2771, Boulder, Colorado 80302 WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE JULIAN D HIRSCH ERIC SALZMAN MANAGING EDITOR GEORGE JELLINEK CRAIG STARK EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS must be accompanied by re- LOUISE GOOCH BOUNDAS IGOR KIPNIS JOEL VANCE turn postage and will be handled with reasonable care. ART DIRECTOR IRVING KOLODIN however, publisher assumes no responsibility for the re. BORYS PATCHOWSKY turn or safety of art work, photography. or manuscripts ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHING DIRECTOR TECHNICAL DIRECTOR PEARL HARRINGTON LARRY KLEIN Member Audit Bureau of Circulations ASSOCIATE TECHNICAL EDITORS ROBERT GREENE, DAVID RANADA

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ABC MUSIC EDITOR ROBERT JOHN UR, SR JAMES GOODFRIEND POPULAR MUSIC EDITOR PROMOTION COORDINATOR PAULETTE WEISS OLIVIA WILSON ZIFF-DAVIS PUBLISHING COMPANY SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR President Richard P Friese STEVE SIMELS President. Consumer Magazine Division. Albert S Traina Editorial and Executive Offices 212 725-3500 Ziff.Davis Publishing Company Executive Vice President Furman Hebb ASSOCIATE EDITOR One Park Avenue. New York. New York 10016 Senior Vice Presidents. Phillip T Heffernan. DAVID STEIN National Advertising Manager Richard J Halpern Sidney Holtz. Edward D Muhl,.Id. Philip Sine ASSISTANT EDITOR. RESEARCH Eastern Advertising Representative Charles L P Watson Vice Presidents. Robert Bawer. Baird Davis. Edgar W RICHARD SARBIN Hopper. George Mornssey Midwestern Office. The Paths Group 312 679.1100 EDITORIAL ASSISTANT 4761 West Touhy AveLincolnwood. Illinois 60646 Treasurer. Selwyn Taubman BARBARA AIKEN Arnold S Hoffman Secretary. Bertram A Abrams

6 STEREO REVIEW Inaworld where sound reachesnewlevelseveryday, ADC delivers the ultimate high. The ultimate high is total control. plotting of the equalizat inn curve. And an ADC Sound Shaper Fre- And all ADC Sound Shapers quency Equalizer lets you control .embody ti -e outstanding ADC tech- your sound and custom -tailor your nology that has made us -he leaders music with the mastery of a pro. in the indLstry. And no better way demonstrates To really complete yourcwtom- the benefits of an ADC Sound tailored control -ability. our ADC Shaper than taping. Even without Real Time Spectrum Analyzer is a a studio environment. you can must. Equipped with it s own pink recreate your personal recordings noise generator and calit ra:ed by changing the frequency response microphone. the SA -1 provides a curve of the source material-mak- visual presentation of the changing ing the sound more like the original spectrumthrough 132 LED dis- and more agreeable to your ears. plays. So .-ou can actually see Our complete ADC Sound Shaper proof of the equalized sound you've IC line' has an equalizer that is right achieved. for you and your system. The SS -110 With an ADC Sound Shaper and ten -band full octave equalizer, a the ease and control of a graphic an ADC Feal Time Spec:rum .step up from our SS -1, features equalizer with the precision and Analyzer. you can attain a new level LED -lit slide controls and one-way versatilky of a parametric. All at a of controL And ultimately. isn't tape dubbing. If you desire even price you can afford. that the musical high you've always more control, our twelve -band SS -II All of our equalizers feature LED - wanted? and top -of -the -line SS -III include lit slide controls allowing for visual two-way tape dubbing and sub -sonic filters. Our SS -III Paragraphic' with 24 ancillary switches that ,e'eff/nets47 enable you to control 36 bands Frequency Equalizers omsw and Spectrum Analyzer per channel combines iiair

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ALL LABELS MAILABLE sumes that in order to be good a piece of including most imports through special Name That Trumpet custom ordering service. If we don't music must not sound "too much like other stock it we'll get it for you In Boston, our first trumpeter pieces that have already been composed." (his fame is well deserved) SCHWANN CATALOG To this I wish to raise two objections. lists thousands of titles; classical, is truly a "familiar name," First, in order to know even that most pop, jazz, ballet, opera, musical shows, as David Hall observed. good pieces of music have already been folk, rock, vocal, instrumental, country, etc written, it is necessary to know both the nu- DISCOUNT DIVIDEND It may not be an easy name, merator and the denominator of the frac- CERTIFICATES that much I will concede, tion-that is, both how many g9od pieces of Dividend Gifts-Every shipment but it's printed on the jacket- music have been composed and how many carries a dividend gift or dividend certificate / don't find it hard to read. are possible altogether. To ascertain the Certificates redeemable immediately former quantity would be difficult; to ascer- for extra discounts. But Boston music fans were filled tain the latter seems impossible-especially NEWSLETTERS with ire sans alloy if, as Mr. Goodfriend tells us, the number of in the world of music; when David somehow goofed and good pieces that can be composed in the fu- concerts, critiques, new releases ... special called ture is "indeterminable." Therefore the ra- super -sale listings at discounts of up to 73% our own Rolf Smedvig Roy. tio of good music previously composed to all DISCOUNT ROBERT D. RUPLENAS good music cannot be known, and in conse- ACCESSORY GUIDE Malden, Mass. quence Mr. Goodfriend cannot possibly Diamond needles, cloths, tape cleaners, know what he is talking about when he as- etc. Discount Music Club is your complete one stop music and accessory buying service serts that most good music has already been Musical Exhaustion? written. QUICK SERVICE Second, the assumption that a good piece same day shipping on many orders ... James Goodfriend's July column, "Clos- of music must not sound "too much like oth- rarely later than the next several days. ing the Copyright Office," decries the crea- Partial shipments always made in the er pieces that have already been composed" tion of "derivative" music, and certainly event of unforeseen delay .. . all at (thatis,itmustnotbe "derivative," no extra cost to you. there is little point in writing works which "anachronistic," or "superfluous" and must 100% IRON -CLAD ape the techniques of Beethoven, Brahms, not evoke from the listener the reaction GUARANTEES Mahler, Bartok, or other previous masters. "I've heard it before") is surely mistaken. A on all product; and services. These composers expressed their own mes- piece of music is no worse for its similarity Everything is guaranteed factory fresh and free sages best. 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Our bership club that guarantees tremendous dis- tion could be in any way an improvement on counts on all stereo records and tapes and modern quest for novelty is antipathetic to the original, and the very same piece of mu- lets you buy what you want ... when you want the art of a composer like Bruckner, whosic would have greater merit if written at . . .or not at allif you choose. patiently cultivated and refined his style one point in the history of music rather than These are just a few of the money -saving over the span of many years. In doing so, he at another. reasons to write for free details. You can't did borrow techniques from others, but he GEORGE BOWLES lose so why not fill out and mail the coupon shaped their ideas to his own use and put his Sioux Falls, S.D. below for immediate information. stamp on the whole. --w Ugly music is another problem. It is be- Music Editor James Goodfriend replies: MUSIC CLUB, INC ing written, but its creation does not reflect Mr. George has made some interesting dmDISCOUNT650 Main StreetDEPT. 9-0981 a malicious streak in the composer. Such P.O. Box 2000 comments which, it seems to me, do not call New Rochelle. N.Y. 10801 pieces most often stem from a philosophicalfor an answer. Mr. Bowles, on the other approach to composition which is at odds hand, is reasoning abstractly rather than NAME with what audiences wish to hear. trying to understand the situation as it ex- THOM RITTER GEORGE ists. First, the fact that numbers cannot be ADDRESS Quincy, Ill. provided in no way invalidates the argument; we are not dealing with problems of CITY IfIunderstand him correctly, James mathematicalcertaintyandexactness. Goodfriend believes that not all but most STATE ZIP good music has already been written and as- (Continued on page 12)

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Iwo.... a.m. :u ,Ike POWS!, %%MOM -111 En:- Li - MPNO - LAM

200 At first glance, you'd think a 75 k: 120W six receivers to let you pick and watt receiver could outperform choose. From our modest hk350i, 100 a 45 watt receiver easily. But FTC B: with analog tuner and 20 watts per power ratings only tell you half the hk5801: 45W channel, to our top of the line story-how a receiver will react . . hk680i with digital tuner, 60 watts under a continuous speaker imped- 8 7 6 5 4 3 per channel and every convenience ance of 8 ohms. LOAD IMPEDANCE (OHM) feature an audiophile might want. Under realistic conditions, When you need power most-at low speaker impedances-conventional receivers simply Accommodations for two sets of though, musical signals can actually can't deliver. But Harman Kardon receivers speakers and two tape decks. Tape cause speaker impedance to drop with HCC will deliver instantaneous power monitor and two-way dubbing. High dramatically, demanding far more on demand until the receiver shuts down to and subsonic filters. Tone defeat and current than most 75 watt receivers protect your speakers. loudness contour. And more. can deliver. The receiver clips, rob- of instantaneous power on demand, So now that you know how com- bing you of the true dynamics and with absolutely no threat of clipping.mitted we are to sonic accuracy, excitement of your music. Of course power alone doesn't perhaps you should audit on one That's why all Harman Kardon make a receiver great. There's dis- of our High Current Receivers. receivers have been designed with antortion to conquer. But only compare us to receivers enormous power reserve we call In most receivers, THD is reduced with at least twice the power. After High Current Capability, or HCC. with a heavy application of negative all, you do want to make it a fair The use of special output devices is feedback. But negative feedback comparison. part of the HCC design. Our output causes a far more serious distortion For the Harman Kardon dealer transistors and power supplies, for called TIM or Transient Intermod- nearest you, call toll -free 1-800- example, will produce as much ulation Distortion. So we use less 528-6050, extension 870. Or write power as your speakers demand. than 25 dB (compared to a more Harman Kardon, 240 Crossways Right up to the point at which the typical figure of 60-80 dB) to keep Park West, Woodbury, N.Y. 11797. receiver shuts down to protect TIM inaudible to even the most In Canada, Gould Marketing, your speakers. critical ear. Montreal H4T 1E5. How much power they'll deliver But even a receiver that sounds depends on which receiver you great isn't perfect until it's got just *Harman Kardon power ratings: choose. The hk580i shown above is the features you want. So we build RMS, both channels driven into rated at 45 watts per channel! But it 8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz with will deliver a full 200 watts or moreharmanIkardon0.05% THD. ASK ANYAUDIOPHELE. Once it is accepted thatusablemusical pos- stract reasoning having little to do with the write Beethoven's "Tenth" today is not that sibilities are finite (a new notion for this real world. The time at which a piece ofthe work would not be similar enough to century, though it has its history in earlier music was written has traditionally (andthe nine, but that it would not bedifferent ones), then the endless parade of new pieces rightly) been a factor in our estimation ofenough from them to be a legitimate that sound either naggingly familiar orthat piece. Great and even merely good "Tenth." gratingly ugly leads one inevitably to the composers have most often been ahead of question "Why?" Why, when there are so their time (determining which way music many composers, so much talent, so much would go); those who merely aped (as any support that does not rest on commercial number of composers today could, if theyDelius in Florida considerations, are there so few pieces that wished, ape a Haydn symphony or a Verdi Some readers may be interested in fur- anyone wants to hear twice? If I reject thearia) have been long (and rightly again) ther information about Solano (not Solana) notion that the composers aren't goodforgotten. Mr. Bowles does not hear "simi- Grove,Florida,mentionedbyRichard enough (which I do). then I am forced to larity" the way I do. The fact that Beethov- Freed inhis fine review of Delius'The the conclusion that thepossibilitieshave been's Sixth is recognizably by the same man Magic Fountainin the July issue. Jackson- come curtailed; that is. that most of the as Beethoven's Fifth in no way beclouds the ville University preserves the small wooden good pieces have been written already. differencesbetween those pieces. The realshack from Solano Grove (south of Jack- Mr. Bowles' second point is again ab-problem withsomeone's attempting to sonville) where the great British composer wrote most of his "American" music while earning part of his livelihood as organist at EQUALIZERS... CongregationAhavath Chesed. Philip Emanuel, a prominent British Jew and close PREAMP-EQUALIZERS... friend of Delius (and a trustee of his estate), CLASS "H" AMPLIFIERS... received an honorary degree from Jackson- ANALYZERS, TUNER... ville University in 1962 in recognition of his . ... grit role in the removal and restoration of the rrr shack. = ... """"". 11 S - HOWARD WAYNE v 10 I Altamonte Springs, Fla.

- 17: :- , -kV 7Z:14 a Inflation and Dubbing Ihave noticed alot of stories lately about record companies pushing to stop off - the BEST the -air taping of their albums. I can under- in EA is now affordable-and GUARANTEED stand the loss in sales, but I cannot be sym- to enhance and improve only fine system! $24900 pathetic becausethecompanies have Also available in Silver brought a lot of it on themselves. First of all, SE450 SPECIFICATIONS THE EQUALIZER YOU BUY the prices of albums and prerecorded tapes SIGNAL-TO-NOISE: SHOULD INCLUDE ALL 105dB below lull output OF THESE FEATURES: RP2201-R are becoming outrageous, making taping INDIVIDUAL CONTROLS: An environmental "FREQUENCY SPEC- 529900 profitable. What irritates me most, though, 32dB total adiustment range TRUM ANALYZER" TEST RECORD, is the crappy quality of prerecorded cas- a ± 16dB each octave (all edited and announced by Soundcrattsmen other octaves set at max ) especially for use with the Soundcrattsmen pea or mance more textures settes. I was forced to go to this format be- b m 120 each octave tali equalizer . "COMPUTONE CHARTS" cause I have an old house with very wobbly other octaves set at zero) for making a record of. and resetting in

seconds, any desired EC curve . floors.Isoon found out that most prere- TOTAL GAIN/CUT: A full -channel "ZERO -GAIN" control on RP2215-R +22d8. - 28dB. all controls each channel for instant "no distortion" corded cassettes sounded as if they had been set at maximum in/out balancing . LIGHT -EMITTING - $39900 recorded in someone's basement. Compare THD: DIODES" for precise visual signal level a prerecorded cassette with an off -the -air Less than 0 01% at 2V balancing . A GRAPHIC DISPLAY for Spectacular each CO curve. perlormonce, many more features tape of the same album and the difference in quality will shock you. r,&11,.., Somebody has to tell the record compa- a atariagfenew nies to use a good brand of tape in their cas-

9IP neellMrie00 settes or they may as well throw their new r 1* , digital equipment out the window. After all, ?"rS v"7-1 who wants to spend $8.98 for a superior dig- S. ital recording of tape hiss? ...... DAVID DER EAMUS WORLD'S ONLY LOW-COST PRO R/T ANALYZER Nazareth, Pa. You candramaticallyimprove your systemeven betterwhen you add-on a performance - The Editor replies: Putting entirely aside through fast, accurate and continuous analy- engineered Equalizer, Analyzer, Preamplifier the ethical question of whether it is okay to sis with this new State -of -the -Art Real -Time or Amplifier from Soundcraftsmen. Separate Frequency Analyzer. The Auto -Scan -Ana- add-on components, made in the U.S., and "lift" something because it has become too lyzer also provides 0.1dB Read -Out patent - designed specifically to improve and enhance expensive . . . . In the December 1961 is- pending circuitry, a Bar -Graph of each indi-your already fine stereo component system. sue ofHi Fi/Stereo Review,the classical vidual octave or Full Bar -Graph Display, plus Our slogan has always been, and remains, (stereo) records reviewed were either $6.98 Variable -Rate octave -by -octave Automatic "guaranteed toimproveand enhanceany (Deutsche Grammophon. RCA) or $5.98 Sweep Scanning, both visually and aurally. fine stereo component system!' $49900 (Columbia.Capitol.Decca).That was Your stereo component system can sound twenty years ago. Applying a reasonable in- NEW, 16 -page Full Color Brochure, FREE! flation measure to these figures-say. 175 per cent, which is the approximate increase Includes TEST REPORTS, complete specifications. Class "H" amplifier 1NWi Si& MOWS u&T10,4 during this period in the overall Consumer ENGINEERING REPORT, E0 COMPARISON CHART, and the "WHY'S & HOW'S'' 'of equalization-an easy -to -understand explanation of the relation- Price Index-means that comparable rec- ship of acoustics to your environment. Also contains many unique IDEAS on ords today should cost $19.20 and $16.46 "How the Soundcraftsmen Equalizer can measurably enhance your listening (actually probably more, considering that pleasures: "How typical room problems can be eliminated by Equalization:' phono discs are made of an oil -derived sub- and a 10 -POINT "DO-IT-YOURSELF" EQ evaluation checklist so you can T.1111 FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF WHAT EQ CAN DO FOR YOU! stance). They don't. Why not? Because rec- unmet "°""S 0M1 SEND $10.00 FOR EQUALIZER -EVALUATION KIT1-12" LP TEST RECORD. ord -industry members long ago decided to

- I SET OF COMPUTONE CHARTS1 COMPARISON CONNECTOR. I INSTRUCTION FOLDER PHONE 714-556-6191 SOUNDCRAFTSMEN INC. 2200 SO. RITCHEY. SANTA ANA. CA 92705 (Continued on page 14) CIRCLE NO 48 ON READER SERVICE CARD 12 STEREO REVIEW The moving coil replacement from Stanton Magnetics... the revolutionary 98OLZS!

Now from the company to whom the professionals the great sound characteristics of cleanliness and look for setting standards in audio equipment comes frequency response long associated with fine mov- a spectacular new cartridge concept. A low imped- ing magnet assemblies. ance pickup that offers all the advantages of a mov- From Stanton...The Choice of The Professionals. ing magnet cartridge without the disadvantages of For further information write to: Stanton Magnetics, the moving coil pickup. At the same time it offers Terminal Drive, Plainview, N.Y.11803. exceedingly fast rise time-less than 10 micro seconds-resulting in dramatic new crispness in sound reproduction-a new "openness" surpassing that of HORIZONTAL SCALE 10 MICRO SECONDS PER DIVISIOW even the best of moving coil designs. The98OLZS incorporates very low dynamic tip mass (0.2 mg.) with extremely high compliance for superb tracking. It tracks the most demanding of the new so called "test" digitally mastered and direct cut recordings 44 f . 0400

0 with ease and smoothness at 1 gram .

The98OLZSfeatures the famous Stereohedron TM stylus and a lightweight samarium cobalt super magnet. The output can be connected either into the moving coil input of a modern receiver's preamps or can be used with a prepreamp, whose output is fed into the conventional phono input. Actual unretouched oscilloscope photograph snowing For "moving coil" audiophiles the98OLZSoffers a rise time of 98OLZS using CBS STR112 record. new standard of consistency and reliability while maintaining all the sound characteristics even the most critical moving coil advocates demand. For moving magnet advocates the98OLZSprovices one sTaNTon more level of sound experience while maintaining all THE CHOICE OF THE PROFESSIONALS." CIRCLE NO 44 ON READER SERVICE CARD

SEPTEMBER 1981 13 compete with each other on the basis of price,notquality.Record prices have IMPROVE YOUR therefore been kept artificially low for years while record -company production costs have gone up just like everything IMAGE... else. How did they manage? By cutting back on quality and selling in enormous quanti- ties. The funny thing about it is that they were absolutely right: they bet that the American public (largely, of course, the pop market) would buy records of poor quality if the price were kept low enough. What they didn't count on was that when they absolutely had to raise prices, the pub- licwould scream bloody murder even though they had been relatively philosoph- ical about accepting increases of more than 168 per cent in the price of transportation and 183 per cent in the price of housing in the same period.The $6.98 Deutsche Grammophon disc of 1961 is $9.98 today, an increase of only (!) 43 per cent in twenty years. In a sense, then, Mr. DeReamus is right: the record companies did bring it on themselves, but didn't they have a little help from us record buyers?

Video Music I don't know that I would go as far as the engineer of a local FM station who suggested that the best way to enjoy a Metro- politan Opera simulcast would be to place the TV set opposite your speakers and sit with your back to it, but I do think that television directors and camera operators have much to learn, and perhaps more to un- learn, if video tapes and discs are to have substantial appeal to the tastes and pocket- books of classical -music audiences. The televised concerts, recitals, and operasI have seen have been consistently marred by If the sound restless panning, zooming, split screens, in- image from your trusive closeups, and other tricks of the loudspeaker leaves you trade that soon lose their novelty and be- flat, consider this: come merely distracting. Intimate views of Dahlquist DQ-10 Phased Array'" the mechanics of singing and instrument loudspeakers reclaim the missing playing are interesting on occasion but need third dimension - DEPTH. They give not be repeated ad nauseam. Obsessive vis- music back its substance and form and let you ual pinpointing of the particular orchestra explore its inner spaces. Subtlety, power, contrast, section or instrumentalist or singer holding forth at every moment creates a decidedly shading -perhaps even emotion and intent -stand revealed. episodic impression of the music. So nothing stands between you and themusic. The camera techniques that are suitable It's all made possible by our patented Phased Array" principle: a for soap operas and football games are not, I think, appropriate for concerts and grand system of mounting and aligning each driver to minimize diffraction opera. Perhaps some so -far -unknown ar- and eliminate time delay distortion. The result is a five -way system tistic genius will devise better techniques. that blends into a single coherent and musically accurate sound source. Meanwhile,I would suggest allotting the But talking about a loudspeaker isn't as good as listening to it. Take cameras three or four of the better seats in different parts of the house and switching the time to visit your Dahlquist representative soon and learn for between them judiciously at long intervals yourself how important a good image can be. during natural breaks. These opinions can perhaps be attacked as representing merely resistance to change, but to me they seem a logical extension of the concept of "high fidelity": a reasonably faithful and convinc- BAH LQ ILJP MT ing reproduction of alive performance, 601 Old \A/diets Path, Hauppauge, New seiNk ilia/ (516) 234-5757 rather than the production of a new and ar- tificial experience. We've prepared a guide to listening for accuracy in loudspeakers. If you fill in this coupon. THOMAS ROCKWELL we'll send you one free along with the name of your nearest Dahlquist representative Columbus, Ohio

Name But wouldn't it be a disturbingly "artifi- cial" experience to find that your nearest Address neighbor in the opera house was a TV cam- City State Zip era, whether it paid for its seat or not? SR -9/81 CIRCLE NO. 13 ON READER SERVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW IT DOESN'T COST ANY MORE TO OWN A BANG &OLUFSEN CARTRIDGE.

One of the most prestigious Because it has very low mass yet names in audio offers a is 21% more rigid than beryllium remarkably affordable way to and 500% more rigid than improve your stereo system. aluminum commonly used in Bang & Olufsen MMC other cartridges. cartridges. Their audibly superior innovations will now fit virtually all of today's better tonearms. MMC, Separation and Imaging.

What is MMC? It's the Model MMC 20 CL patented Moving Micro Cross' with Universal Adapter. armature found in all five Bang & Olufsen cartridges. This rigidity virtually This MMC keeps each elminates any distortion -causing channel on its own axis so you'll vibration within the cantilever. hear exceptionally accurate Every subtle movement of the stereo separation, depth and stylus tip is translated into realistic stereo imaging. transparent, uncolored sound and The manner in which these musical detail. cartridges pinpoint the placement of individual instruments is uncanny. One audition will convince you. Longer record life. Audition them for yourself. It's a result of our extremely Hear for yourself why the low Effective Tip Mass (ETM). critics respect our MMC How we achieve it is an engineer- cartridges. Bring in your favorite ing story in itself. But the low records to a select audio dealer ETM of our stylus assemblies and learn how for the price of a means much longer record life MMC fine cartridge... you can owna and better tracking even on Bang & Olufsen. "hopelessly" warped records. 10 E For more information, write b: A cantilever made of a solid, single crystal of sapphire. Bang &Olufsen Bang & Olufsen of America, Inc. You'll find it on the remark- 515 Busse Road able MMC-20CL. Why sapphire? Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 CIRCLE NO. 5 ON READER SERVICE CARD

EMoving Micro Cross is a registered trademark of Bang & Olufsen. flew Productlakesk audio equipmenk and accessories

sources of sound. The tweeters and one woofer are mounted above the main enclosure in a multi -directional "free -space" array. Two outward -aimed tweeters reflect sound off the side walls while two inward - directed tweeters aim toward the center of the room. Each of the two woofers is housed ina separate injection -molded compart- ment that is ported into the main cabinet, which is in turn ported into the listening Phase Linear's Teac /Tascam's room. This technique is said to control those Cassette Deck frequencies usually exaggerated by room - Rugged Power Amp boundary reflections. The crossover allows For Studio Use the woofers and tweeters to operate together over almost an octave and thus avoid Designed for professional applications phase -shift effects and audible colorations. requiring audiophile -quality performance Designed specifically for studio applica- Nominal impedance is 8 ohms, minimum from a compact, road -worthy unit, Phase tions where a good cassette dub is needed recommended amplifier power 20 watts. Linear's A60 power amplifier is rated at for reference or demonstration, the Tascam Woofer transition frequency is2.5 kHz; 225 watts per channel into 8 ohms with to- Model 122 from Teac is a two -speed (17/s tweeter transition frequency is1.5 kHz. tal harmonic distortion less than 0.05 per and 33/4 ips), two -motor, rack -mountable, The cabinet is walnut -grain vinyl on parti- cent from 20 to 20,000 Hz. The exterior three -head unit with source/tape monitor- cle board. Dimensions are 291/2 x 14 x 13 chassis is constructed of heavy -gauge steel. ing facilities. The deck incorporates Dolby - inches. Price: $445 per speaker, sold only in The power transformer and its associated B noise -reduction and Dolby-HX head- matched pairs. power -supply components are housed in a room -extensioncircuitry.Alltransport Circle 121 on reader service card separate internal chassis with the trans- functions are activated by integrated logic former near the front panel, a design that circuits. The front panel has three -position minimizes stress on the front -panel rack bias and equalization controls for ferric, mounts. Protection features include LED chrome, and metal tapes in addition to fault, signal, and thermal -overload indica- screwdriver controls for bias and record lev- tors. Power output into 4 -ohm loads is 350 el. Other controls include switching for two watts per channel; dynamic headroom into line inputs, an output -level control, and a 8 ohms is 1.25 dB. Dimensions are 51/4 x 19 separate volume control for the headphone x 12 inches; weight is 42 pounds. Price: output. A remote -controlunit and dbx $1,099. noise -reduction circuitry are available as Circle 123 on reader service card options. Price: $700. Circle 120 on reader service card Scott Receiver Has Digital Readout

The H. H. Scott Model 375R AM/FM r, stereo receiver is rated at 65 watts per channel into 8 -ohm loads with no more than 0.03 per cent total harmonic distortion. RIAA equalization accuracy is ±0.5 dB from 20 Lower -price Carver to 20,000 Hz; phono signal-to-noise ratio is 84 dB (input shorted). The FM -tuner sec- Preamplifier with tion has an IHF sensitivity of 10.3 dBf (1.8 Sonic Holography microvolts). The stereo signal-to-noise ratio with a 65-dBf signal is 70 dB; distortion at the same signal level is 0.2 per cent. The The Carver C-1 preamplifier has a sec- FM frequency response is 20 to 15,000 Hz ond -generation "Sonic Hologram" stereo - +1,-2 dB. Capture ratio is1 dB. Stereo image enhancement circuit that is said to separation at 1 kHz is 45 dB. have a larger "listening window" and to Featuresincludeadigitalfrequency provide tighter imaging and smoother fre- readout in addition to an analog tuning quency response than Carver's original de- scale, a servo -lock tuning system, both mov- sign. (The horizontal -plane image resolu- ing -magnet and moving -coil phono inputs, tion is claimed to be better than 5 degrees.) "Free space" dual fluorescent power meters, a five -level Front -panelcontrolsincludeswitchable Array in Bose r.f. signal -strength meter, switching for two tone controls for each channel, loudness pairs of speakers and for two tape decks, compensation, an external -processor loop, Speaker System and switchable infrasonic and high -fre- switching for two tape decks, and the Sonic quency filters. (The infrasonic filter has a Hologram controls. Specifications include turnover frequency of 18 Hz and rolls off at ± 0.25 -dBRIAA-equalizationaccuracy, Bose's 601 Series II system incorporates 18 dB per octave.) The bass, midrange, and frequency response from 5 to 200,000 Hz, two 8 -inch woofers withlong -excursion treble controls are detented. Dimensions are and distortion of 0.05 per cent or less. Di- voice coils and four 3 -inch high -sensitivity 5 x 193/4 x 13 inches; weight is 27 pounds. mensions are 19 x 31/2 x 10 inches. Weigh is tweeters in an arrangement designed to Price: $460. 6 pounds. Price: $550. eliminate the speakers as the apparent Circle 122 on reader service card Circle 124 on reader service card

16 STEREO REVIEW _,1- .71.___:- .respummi . t.1

II I I II I II II

o- - ak. It 10.

23 deck makers bias with TDK metal. That doesn't leave manyfor the competition. When it comes to the critical bias adjustment, the vast majority of manufacturers won't use anything but TDK Metal Alloy cassettes. TDK metal excels in two different cases. The MA -R has the Reference Standard Mechanism, with a unique metal unibody frame. MA uses the Laboratory Standard Mechanism, designed to deliver the smoothest possible flow of music. Both MA -R and MA incorporate TDK's remarkable tape formulation, FINAVINX, memtzons=amme a metal particle with extremely high coercivity and remanence for high frequency MA -C 90 OTOK response and low distortion. TDK metal has the widest frequency range and highest MOL of all cassettes rated in an independent test. It's not easy to get 23 quality deck makers to reach the same conclusion. If you use TDK metal, you'll be in good company. 41b7DK. 0 1981 TDK ElectronicsCorp..GardenCity,N.Y.11530 The machine for your machine CIRCLE NO 52 ON READER SERVICE CARD Simply overwhelming Overwhelmingly simple At Aiwa, we believe the only thing about quality of tape you've chosen, then selects the best setting recording that should overwhelm you is the quality from over 250 million possible combinations to of the recording. optimize bias, equalization and calibrate sensitivity. That's why our engineers developed the Aiwa All in less than 30 seconds! AD -M800. A microcomputerized cassette deck And thanks to its memory, next time you use the that's so advanced, it's simple. same tape it won't take any time at all. D.A.T.A. can The AD-M800's specifications tell you it's the last recall past analyses instantly. word in cassette deck technology. But its D.A.T.A. But D.A.T.A. is just one of the AD-M800's out- microcomputer system lets you know a new era of standing features. There are a lot more. Like recording accuracy and simplicity is just beginning. Aiwa's V -cut Sendust CVC 3 -head system. Infrared Instead of imprecise tape selector switches remote control. Both VU and Peak LED metering. or confusing variable bias and eq switches, the Double Dolby* NR. And Dual Motor Drive. AD-M800's D.A.T.A. microcomputer system is as The Aiwa AD -M800. It's that advanced. It's that simple as it is accurate. simple. That's why it's the top of our line. For "master" quality recordings with ruler -flat *Dolby is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories. tape frequency response all you do is press "start': D.A.T.A. does the rest. AIWA It's so smart, it automatically senses what type SIMPLYADVANCED For more information, write: Aiwa America Inc., 35 Oxford Drive, Moonachie, New Jersey 07074. In Canada, Shrtro (Canada) Ltd. CIRCLE NO. 1 ON READER SERVICE CARD Audio Q. and A. By Lorry Klein

_I I lir! 1 I I I I I AttitLANdllk

tems Committee), used in the U.S., most of Measurement Capabilities North and South America, and Japan; n Why is it that test reports sometimes SECAM (Sequential with Memory), used \-11 say that a product's published specs in France; and PAL (Phase Alternate by are beyond the measurement capability of Line), used in Great Britain and the rest of presently available test equipment?" How Western Europe. The differences are in the then do the manufacturers themselves frame rate (thirty frames per second for make the measurements? NTSC, twenty-five frames per second for RANDAL C. AKACICH PAL and SECAM), in the lines per frame There is no Tigard, Ore. (525 lines per frame for NTSC, 625 for true accuracy PAL and SECAM), and in the way color without ABy availing themselves of the luxury of information is encoded. hand -tailored test equipment. It's not Videodisc equipment sold in the U. S. has high efficiency.11111 difficult, just terribly time-consuming, to been designed for use here and uses the The power war is over. 1 design and hand -build equipment able to standard U.S. TV system, and you cannot High-powered receivers make measurements that exceed the capa- play a disc with NTSC encoding over, say, a and amplifiers are going bilities of the best commercial instruments. SECAM-type TV. A U.S.-standard TV set the way of the gas guzzler'. Usually one trades the option of making a would work, but the cost and inconvenience in this era of energy con- wide range of tests for the ability to make a make the whole enterprise questionable. sciousness and inflation. single ultrasensitive measurement on a spe- Videocassette players, by the way, will have Yet technological advance- cific component. Obviously, no test lab that ments in source material the same compatibility problems. Note, such as direct -to -disc and handles a wide variety of brands and models however, that there are several TVs avail- digitally.mastered recordings has the time or inclination to design test able from various companies that are said to demand far more from your equipment for specific jobs. work anywhere in the world, be the voltage system than ever before. But there's another aspect of the question 100, 120, or 220, the line frequency 50 or 60 To accurately reproduce this worth discussing. The laboratory equipment Hz,orthebroadcastformat NTSC, state-of-the-art material you used by Mr. Hirsch can measure distortions SECAM, or PAL. Such a unit should be need efficient loudspeakers of 0.0003 per cent and noise levels of -80 able to play videocassettes and videodiscs that literally allow your am- dB, both below the thresholds of human made for any format. plifier to idle during normal hearing. Isitreally necessary to do any listening levels and respond with its rated capabilities only better than that? 1 fully understand the to reproduce the sharp competitive economic and psychological Specialized Speakers transients and increased forces that drive engineers to seek ever - dynamic range typical of better specifications. However, in my view nI have heard it said that one should today's source material. such technologicaltours de forceare large- %I1 use one type of speaker for classical The Interface:A was de- ly pointless, akin to adding additional layers records and another type for rock, yet signed to answer the high - of gold plating to some already very well - neither you nor Julian Hirsch has ever efficiency challenge. Highly gilded lilies. mentioned a need for specialized speakers. efficient, truly accurate, yet How come? capable of handling a lot of HARRY WEST power when necessary. without the sonic coloration found Off -shore Video Toledo, Ohio in so many loudspeakers. lwant to send a videodisc player to A There is at least a small grain of truth Listen to your music the n way it was intended. Audition %-,4 some friends in Europe, but I am in the "certain speakers for certain the Interface:A at your told that it won't play there because their program material" approach. A while back nearest Interface dealer. TV -broadcast signal and therefore their I visited a friend who had carefully set up TV sets are different from ours. Is this for comparison three pairs of very expensive true? and generally highly regarded speaker sys- J. D. GOMEZ tems. 1 spent most of an afternoon in A -B -C Southampton, N.Y. listening to digitally mastered and direct - cut discs and came to four conclusions: (1) Electro:Voice A Yes. There are now three major-and any one of the three sets of systems could

gulton car pant/ incompatible-systemsinusefor sound marginally better than the other two, 600 Cecil Street transmitting color -television signals. These depending on the specific records played; Buchanar. Michigan 49107 are the NTSC (National Television Sys- (Continued on page 22)

20 STEREO REVIEW WHY ONLY SONY TAPE HEARS FULL COWR SOUND.

There are some good and sound reasons Sony The new tape standard: State -of -the-Sony audio tape is second to none. Why Sony tape has such a Fact: Everyone uses magnetic particles for tape. But sensitive, full frequency response all along the sound not everyone insists on buying super -fine grade particles, spectrum that it is actually capable of recording sounds and then carefully examining and mixing each and every that go beyond the range of human hearing. That lot to be absolutely positive that the quality is consistently incredible range, sensitivity and balance is what Full Color pure and homogenous. Sony does. Sound is all about. Fact: Sony has a unique formula for binding

the particles to the tape. Binding teg. A historyof milestones OOP When you get a Sony tape you get a lot determines the life SS" more than tape. You get the entire history .... of tape recording...... 11"'!!41111.10.1111\P-

of the tape and the heads. Because of the high standards we demand, Sony had to invent its own binder. Fact: Another example of Sony high technology is Sony has been in the coating process. The coating of magnetic particles a pioneer in tape manufac- must be absolutely, uniformly even all along the tape. turing since it began over 30 Any variation at all, and the consistency and quality of years ago. In fact, we made the tape are compromised. Not only did Sony perfect the the first audio tape ever in Japan. process for its regular tapes, but Sony outdid itself with Sony technology was in the fore: its dual -coated tapes, where it was necessary to produce front then... and it still is! (Who a top coating that was super -thin. We actually managed else could bring you the amazing to create a perfect coating that's only 1 micronmeter Walkman?) thick! (Especially impressive when you realize some other Besides a history of spirited tape makers have trouble producing an even coating 4-5 determination to be the very first in tech- micronmeters thick, much less 1 micronmeter thick! ) nology there's the knowledge that comes Hearing is believing from also being pioneers in high fidelity Sony tape comes by its extraordinary quality audio equipment. (After all, you'd better know honestly. It has a heritage of breakthrough innovation. all there is to know about tape decks before you And a history of being famous throughout the world for make a tape. Sony does.) leading technology, quality and dependability. Another reason for Sony's unmatched excellence And that is why only Sony tape has Full Color is our unmatched- almost fanatic - insistence on Sound. But you don't have to take our word for it. Listen the highest quality material and manufacturing methods. to Sony tape as fanatically as you wish. As they say, Sometimes our standards are so high we can't -ind hearing is believing. SONY, machinery that meets them, so we have to invent the ) 1981 Say Corp of America machinery ourselves! Sony and Walkman am tradcmada of Sony Corp Then there's Sony's unique balance system. The fine-tuning of all the elements that go into making a tape, so that each complements the other, and together deliver the finest recording that is humanly and technically possible.

CIRCLE NO. 47 ON READER SERVICE CARD How to get 50% more (2)if the room or the speaker locations withinitwere different, my preferences might well have shifted; (3) there aren't a sound without helluva lot of significant differences to be heard among the top speakers, in any case; turning up the volume. and (4) I run out of patience pretty quickly for this sort of listening, if only because, in Bob Dylan'swords, "Nothing wasre- There's a whole range of sound in a vealed." (1 guess that ifI had found that live performance that you never hear from any pair of the systems had been clearly inferior or superior to the others,I would your stereo system. And it's not a question have derived at least some satisfaction from of turning up the volume. the evaluation process.) The problem is in the records you play. Note that when I said that some speakers sounded superior with certain records,I When recording engineers master a wasn't referring to the rock, jazz, or classi- record, they electronically eliminate up to cal program on the records, but rather to half the music. They literally compress the unpredictable sonic nuances of balance in the recordings deriving from the way each sound to make it "fit" on the vinyl record. had been made and equalized. It seems to Fortunately, there's one solution to the me that except under special circumstances, problem: dbx Dynamic Range Expanders. what one wants, therefore, is neither "rock" nor "classical" speakers (whatever they A dbx Dynamic Range Expander in may be) but rather a system that can your system restores most of the lost music. deliver an accurate acoustic analog of the And it reduces annoying record surface electrical audio signal fedtoitby the amplifier. Those who espouse the use of noise by as much as 20 dB. So instead of a different speakers for different music are compressed 50 or 60 dB of dynamic range, saying, in effect, that certain music requires you get a full 75 to 90 dB. The loud pas- more or less speaker distortion, or peaks in the bass, midrange, or treble frequencies, or sages begin to thunder. The softs are truly something otherthan a flat,accurate subtle. All your music comes to life. response. Since the musical instruments And you can use a dbx Dynamic Range have been recorded with a specific loudness in relation to each other, it seems to me that Expander not only with your records, but a speaker ought to reproduce those individ- also with tapes and FM broadcasts. ualrelativelevels accurately no matter Visit your authorized dbx retailer for what kind of musicisinvolved.If the recording has been engineered so that the a demonstration of the 1BX, 2BX and 3BX brass has an extra "sock" and the strings Dynamic Range Expanders. Then select extra "bite," the speakers should deliver the model that's best for your system. those qualities-neither more nor less. And the only way a speaker can do that is if it Because there's a lot more to music doesn't have any built-in "sock" or "bite" than has been reaching your ears. -meaning peaks at certain frequencies. dbx, Inc., 71 Chapel St., Newton, Mass. IT is true that a speaker that does a fine job 02195 U.S.A. Tel. (617) 964-3210. Telex 92-2522. of reproducing chamber music may not be Distributed throughout Canada by BSR suitable for rock, but only because it lacks (Canada) Ltd., Rexdale, Ontario. the efficiency and acoustic -output capability (in the bass or overall) to achieve the sound -pressure levels desired.If the attempt to achieve a desired loudness level for rock (or some contemporary electronic mu- Making good sound better sic) drives your system into distortion be- CIRCLE NO. 16 ON READER SERVICE CARD cause your amplifier has inadequate power or because your speakers have low efficiency or inadequate power -handling ability, then other speakers with greater efficiency and power -handlingabilitywould,of course, do a better job. However, all other performance criteria-frequency range and smoothness, distortion, dispersion, and so forth-continue to be valid. A speaker able to deliver loud rock music with true high fidelity should do just as good a job when reproducing a string quartet. Incidentally, it seems to me that a legitimate aesthetic case can be made for boosting the bass on much current rock and disco material. But the problem with having a built-in response peak is that you getit whether or not it's appropriate to the music being played. For that reason, abetter source of boost where and when you need it is a five- or ten -band equalizer. Once the .- S SAOOD SYNAMPOD =AMMO INI PA NOS program is adjusted to taste, it should then be fed to the flattest, widest -response speak-

I I I I I I I I I IMP

er you can afford.

STEREO REVIEW You might findabigger loudspeaker at thesameprice. You won't buyabetterone. Sadly, some people still think one loudspeaker is much Reference Series It may not look strikingly cIfferent. but the same as another. inside the camj:a_ct19 litre cabinet it is a different stcry: To those of you suffering the consequences of this mis- drive inits, filternetworksar d the unique KEF electronic apprehension, we have a message-there is a difference! overload prot3c::oncircui: (S -STOP) raprasent the latest A difference once appreciated, never fangclten. advar_ces in leuispEaker tecknology. A difference appreciated by Sterea Rev_evi., whose The sesilt is a sys:ern wnich achieves broad frequency noted testirg authority, Julian Hirsch, said".. itssound response :vier crptimum efficiency, unsurpassed realism is unusually smooth, balanced, and uterly easy and and c:arity of recrcduction. unstrained. You can pick almost any fsvorab_e adjective Stereo Revi3W summed it up... "If one were to consider and it woull apply equally to cn:y its size and appearance, the sound of this loudspeaker." i: night be hard to justify (Stereo Review July, 1981) tne price of the KEF 103.2. The KEF Model 103.2 is a However, judged (as it oug n3w addition to the renowned ta be) by its sc und. it appears b be a very good buy" Contact your KEF cealer for 3 thorough cemonstration. For his tame and address, write KEF Electronics, Ltd. c/o Intratec RC. Box 17414 Dulles Intl A:rport Washington, D.C. 23041. In Canada Smyth Eounc Eqiipment Ltd., Quebec.

© 1981 KEF Electronics, Ltd. KEF CIRCLE 4031 ON READER SERVICE CARD the Speaker Engineers less complex to operate than its profusion of features would suggest. The five station -select pushbuttons are grouped at the top (a good idea in many cars though not, alas, in Cal Stereo mine), and while these fall within a long row of other buttons they do differ in size or feel from the others. The controls fall into By Ivan several distinct groupings, and there's even afive -band equalizer built in-all ina Berger package notablysmaller thanFujitsu's original Wizard. The best part, though, may be the optional ($50) full -feature remote control. Its buttons serve dual purposes, with tape functions printed inblue, radio functions in black: auto tuning up and down, rewind or fast forward, auto tape search for the gaps between selections, even eject. The controls on the Mini -Wizard's built-in equalizer ale a bit larger than most such but smaller than those found on most separate equalizers. Sony attacked the cramped -control problem a bit differently last year, with equaliz- NEW EQUIPMENT AT CES ers whose slider controls run at an angle (see XM-E7 below) for longer travel without a higher panel. This year at least two IT took two days of riffling through the larger buttons for the station presets; then other companies (Sound Barrier and Rock- mound of car -stereo literature I brought smaller buttons for Dolby and tape-EQ se- ford Fosgate) have taken a similar slant on back from the summer Consumer Electron- lection, larger buttons just above for tape some models. Rockford Fosgate also has ics Show in Chicago to come to the conclu- direction, cassette standby (which cues up two equalizer/amp systems (with separate sion that there was nothing earth -shatter- and switches to a cassette if the station boxes for the amps) with dbx noise reduc- ingly new to report. Still, there is some in- fades out), and eject. There's a big knob for tion: the RX5 and RX I, 100 watts and 50 teresting new equipment coming out this volume and balance, small ones for bass and watts per channel, respectively. There was fall, and a few mini -trends are becoming treble. The tuning controls appear to bealso a decoder from dbx itself, the dbx 22, clearer. rather small (which I don't like), but they at $149. It looks like any other piece of dbx Inoticed, for example, that a bit more are right on the tuning dial (which I do). gear, suitably shrunken to fit into a car. attention is being paid to human engineer- Marantz has a new feature which ma) or ing. Just before CES, for example, Alpine may not fall under the heading of human MEANWHILE, anothernoise -reduction unveiled its new 7136, the second Alpine engineering: a "Continuous Music System" system made car -stereo news at CES. Na- model with digital everything, auto -seek that turns you're fast - tional Semiconductor's DNR, it was an- tuning-the works. The five station -selector forwarding or rewinding the tape in case nounced, would soon be seen in stereo units buttons are clustered rather than stretched you can't bear to be without music for thatfrom GM's Delco and from Autotek. DNR in a row, which makes them look more ac- long. Some units in Panasonic's new Su- isa signal -sensingfilter which cuts the cessible. (On the other hand, the Program preme series have the opposite feature: you high -frequency response when there's little Memory button is no larger than any of the can push a button to check what's on the air high -frequency energy in the signal, on the others and is clustered with the rest, which I while a tape's playing instead of having to principle that whatever highs are left are suspect might lead to accidental memory eject the tape first. probably just noise. In a brief, non -automo- erasures.) Sanyo's tape -protector system may or tive demonstration, it sounded just fine. Blaupunkt is going heavily into "night may not be human engineering too, but I There was also a lot of emphasis on in- design"-illuminated controls that you can like it: if the system senses drag tension or stallation problems, which get worse as find in the dark-on their CR-2010 analog - tape slack during play, it reverses the tape's dashboards shrink and buyers demand more tuned and CR-3001 digital units ($370 and direction. That's on the new FT590 Plus Se- features in their stereos. Audiovox talked $630, respectively). The 3001 also has a re- ries deck, which is loaded with features about its Flex and Superflex mounting sys- mote station -scan switch which can be used (Dolby, auto tuning, bi-amp mode switch- tems, Sanyo about "EZ Install," and so on. to put that control nearer the driver or to ing, automatic music -sensing system ...) Since GM's last new car -body family, the give back-seat listeners a say. and has a liquid -crystal display (LCD) in- "X -body," caused car -stereo manufacturers Kenwood's new K RC -1022 receiver gives stead of the usual LED type. It's also on the some unusual installation problems, there the impression of being easy to work with. under -$180 FT240, an auto -reversing mod- was much industry worry about the newer, Maybe it's the way the various controls are el with Dolby and AMSS. Sony's conven- smaller "J" cars. No problem, it appears. differentiated by size and shape: a row of tionally tuned XR-35 has a center -tune The J -cars' radio slots may be a bit on the small buttons for local/DX, ANRC (auto light, the most sensible analog tuning aid shallow side, but the panel spaceis un- hi -blend, among other things), high filter, I've yet seen for car use. usually generous. Audiovox, Clarion, Jen- loudnesscompensation,andan"Auto Fujitsu Ten's $780 Mini -Wizard looks sen, and others were able to show models for Broadcast Sensor System" (it seeks new fairly good from the human -engineering J -body cars at this show, and there will stations as old ones fade out); a row of six standpoint too. At the very least, it seems (Continued on page 26)

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Clarion PE959A GUMS ifealIVW Jensen P425 cassette receiver

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Fuptsu Ten CE130 cassette receiver equalizer Kenwood KRC1022 cassette receiver Sperkometic SR 305 cassette receiver equalizer illegitimate child Rip-off or spin-off, you've never heard sound like you'll hear from the headphones you can get for only $5 pictured below. But there's a catch.

S IV IRS pale

It was spawned by Sony. And, it's ansounds better than a theater sized loud ation for often played tapes. entirely newtechnology.Nomorespeaker system. MAXELL 'TAPE' IS BETTER cheap paper speakers and heavy mag- Sonyfatheredthetechnologyfor Yes, honestly, if you own a $1000 cas- nets. Soundisreproduced with such these headphones and obviously has no sette deck likea Nakamichi, the fre- clarity and power that it will send shiv-connection to DAK, but the techno-quency responses of Maxell UDXL or ers up and down your spine. logical heritage will become vividly ap-TDK SA are slightly superior and you Sony's MDR -3headphonessellforparent when you compare the sound of just might be able to hear a difference. about $50, and they've been worth it. thesemarvelous headphones sideby DAK ML hasa frequency response Now you can have DAK's for only $5.side. DAK's come with a full one year thatisflat from 40-14,500hz ±3db. We challenge you to take them to yourlimited warranty. Virtuallyallcassette recorders priced favorite Hi Fi store and compare them THE CATCH under $600 are flat ±3db from 40hz to to Sony's. But there are 2 things you Thing two. Frankly we are losing ourabout 12,500hz, sowe have over ought to know. shirtsontheheadphones, but we're2000hz to spare, and you'll probably Thing One.If you can hear a differ-taking a gamble because we want you to never notice the difference. ence, any difference at all, not only can try our audio cassettes. No apology. We feelthat we have you return them and get your money In order to get the $50 value pair of equaledor exceeded the mechanical back, but we'll also give you a free giftfeatherweight headphones for only $5, reliab lity of virtually all cassettes and for your trouble. we want youtotry10 DAK Highoffer one of the best frequency respon- YOU'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE Energy, Normal Bias 90 minute casset-ses in the industry. You may already be familiar with thetes for only $2.19 each. TRY DAK ML90 CASSETTES sound produced by these headphones. If DAK's price is less than half the price RISK FREE you've ever sat in the very front rowof the competition, and each cassette Try these high energy cassettes and the during a symphony concert, or right incomes with a deluxe index insert card,featherweight headphones in your own the middle ofa livejazz band, you a box and a one year guarantee. home for 30 days.If you aren't 100% know the spine tingling thrill of the full You're very valuable to us in the form satisfied for any reason, return only 9 of rich sound that envelops you. offuture business. DAK has excited the 13 cassettes and the headphones for If you sit even 10 rows back, you loseover 80,000 of you valuable customersa courteous refund. The 10th cassette is the feeling. You still listen to the music,withspecialbonuseslikethehead- a gift from DAK for your time. but you can't touch or taste the sound. phones. We find most of you keep buy- To order your 10 DAK ML 90 minute It's only when you sit right up fronting once you try our cassettes and our high energy cassettes at $2.19 each and that the sound is alive with electricity.prices; and that's a gamble worth taking. get the headphones for only $5 with It's the same sound you get with Sony's NOT A BAD CATCH your credit card, call the DAK toll free MDR -3s and DAK's $5 stereophones. DAK manufactures a cassette that younumber below, or send your check for ILLEGITIMATE CHILD can really forget about. Great sound,only $21.90 for the tapes, plus $5 for Not recognized by law as a lawful offspring. and no problems. the headphones, and $3 for postage and The technology is new. Up until the We make mostly industrial cassetteshand ing for each group. Order No 9186 Sony featherweight headphones werefor high speed duplication. We've devel- (CA residents please adc 6% sales tax. introduced, most headphones were sim-oped aspecial jam proof cassette.It Why not order an extra group of 10 plyuncomfortable miniature speaker usesa spring tension liner within theDAK ML90 cassettes. We will add one systems that you wore on your ears. cassette that guides the tape as it winds. free ML90 cassette to each additional The Sony breakthrough was made pos- We coat these liners with a new chem- group you buy and of course you can sible by changing the cheap paper speak- ical called Molysulfide which drastically get a headphone for $5 with each group. er cones to mylar diaphragms, and byrrduces friction within the cassette. using the powerful rare earth magnet HiFrequencyProtection!Astape DAK Samarium to move the diaphragms. moves within the cassette friction causes The mylar diaphragms are much morethe build up of static electricity. Static INDUSTRIES accurate than paper and have a drastical-electricityis drastically reduced by the INCORPORATED ly improved dynamic range. The resultlow friction of the Molysulfide and so Call TOLL -FREE (800) 423-2636 is a headphone that weighs less than 2 isits tendency to erase very high fre- In Canifornia Call (213) 984-1559 ounces and yet produces 20-20,000hzquencies. A very important consider- 10845 Vanowen St., North Hollywood, CA 91605 CIRCLE NO14 ON READER SERVICE CARD doubtless be many more by the next CES. Anotherinstallationproblem-mixing tuners, amps, and equalizers of different ARE YOU READY brands-is getting easier too, but it's still not very easy. Not all companies use the same connectors, and even those that do may wire them differently. You can wire up FOR REAL? adaptors for those, but what do you do when different brands use different signal -voltage levels? One answer is to make equipment C) crown announces five new audio instruments, built that's adaptable to them all. Autotek's Hi- Tekin -dash unitsnowhavevariable exclusively for your home audio system, and designed for the most accu- preamp-output voltages, from 100 millivolts rate reproduction - the real sound - of your favorite music. toIvolt, to match any amplifier. At the a new FM tuner that solves RF intermodulation problems a new pre - amplifier end, new models from Sony, Vi- amp that packs unbelievable sonic accuracy and total control into a 13/4" sonik, and others had selectable input -voltage levels. chassis three powerful, clean new amps featuring the Crown MULTI- As far as appearance goes, Midland and MODE' circuit that stops distortion at all listening levels. others offer trim panels that can be reversed or interchanged to give some choice of color. Marantz, too, now offers a choice of black or their traditional gold trim plates. Some new models bucked the trend toward integrated radio/cassette units. Ken - wood's new KZC-657, for example, is an under -dash cassette/amplifier combination that develops 15 watts of power per channel at1 per cent distortion. It has an input for an external tuner which is automatically disconnected when a tape is playing. Pioneer, on the other hand, introduced a new tuner, the GEX-60, with preset selection for fifteen stations (five AM, ten FM) and controls for bass, treble, volume, and balance,plus an automatic deck/tuner switching relay (apparently Pioneer intends this, not the tape deck, to be the master unit). Pioneer also introduced two new tape decks, the KP-202G, which releases the pinch -rollerwhenthecar'signitionis turned off, and the KP-404G, which has the same features plus Dolby. Both models also have Music Search and the Automatic Tape Slack Canceller (also featured in Pio- neer home decks). Kraco introduceda new micro -mini Stackmaster component system. With tuner, cassette deck, and equalizer/amplifier, the whole system is only 51/4 inches high, 4 inches in its other two dimensions, and costs They're on their way to your Crown dealer now, $300. Magtone (MGT) had a similar sys- so you can look, touch and listen. Or you can read all about them in your tem, the MGT 3207, only 100 mm (just under four inches) tall. own home by sending the coupon below and $5 for the latest edition of the CROWN INFORMATION PACKAGE. Over 100 pages, including a SoNv introduced the "Earthquake" am- "tour" of the Crown factory in Indiana; brochures that explain the opera- plifier-not, at 60 watts per channel, the tion of all these new instruments plus information on Distinction prod- most powerful amplifier around, but hardly the least powerful, and technically quite in- ucts; technical articles by Crown engineers on the MULTI-MODEr" circuit teresting. The power supply is a two -stage and other audio topics; complete reprints of publication reviews; price design: one stage operates at amplifier out- lists and dealer addresses. Satisfaction guaranteed or we'll refund your put levels below 15 watts per channel, and $5. Your Crown dealer will give you this PACKAGE free if you visit his the other kicks in after that. There's also a store. If you don't know his address, use the Reader Service Card for a Bass Drive filter for use with subwoofers. MGT Magtone showed a five -band free dealer list .Or call 219/294-5571. "parametric" equalizer thatIhadn't noticed before. Like Jensen's "fifteen -band" model, it has conventional boost/cut controls plus switches selecting one of three crown® center frequencies for each filter band. But there's no "Q" control to widen or narrow ..WHEN YOU'RE READY FOR REAL! the filter bands as there would be on a true parametric. For your CROWN INFORMATION PACKAGE, send this coupon and five dollars A few more companies from the mainline to Crown International, 1718 W. Mishawaka Road, Elkhart, IN 46517. SR9 audio industry have entered the car -stereo field. Nikko introduced its first two in -dash Name car -stereo units, and ESS, Infinity, SAEC, JVC, Ohm, and Philips showed speakers. Address City I'll be covering the new car speakers in next

month's column. State Zip Phone / 26 CIRCLE NO. 12 ON READER SERVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW Pocket Concert Hall PRICE SLASHED Was $199, then $179 ---We cut it to only $118 NOW JUST $69 Cybernet has a problem. They built over 100,000 of these fabulous Pocket Concert Halls. They built them to be better than the Sony Walkman, but by the time they got them here, the price had already come down on the Walkman (it's now as low as $139 in some areas) and lots of cheap Hong Kong made recorders have hit the market. The Cybernet was built to sell for $200 and wholesale for $119. It has a very sophisticated dual flywheel tape drive system and superb electronics. To test a portable, shake it while you play music. If the music wows badly, or even stops, you have a cheap unit. Both Sony's and Cybernet's can pass this test. Not many others can. So, if you want the best sound and the most stable unit, Cybernet has 35,000 left. And, at only $69 ($2.50 P&H) Order No. 9192, it's an incredible bargain. Remember thisisa $200 retail unit, and the January 1981 wholesale price sheet shows dealer cost at $119.97. We'll be glad to send you a copy if you'd like to see it. You get DAK's 30 day risk free trial & Cybernet's 1 year warranty described below. EXTRA HOME BONUS --We've made a special matching cable system so you can plug the Pocket Concert Hall into any line (aux) inputs in your home stereo. Now you can make copies of cassettes by playing them on the Pocket Concert Hall and recording on your main cassette deck, or just listen to your favorite cassettes through your home stereo. The sound is fabulous. Just $4 (1 P&H) Order No. 9200. Firstthere was silence. Then from You can expect years of enjoyment You can listen to the outside world by nowhere, there explodes an awesomefrom this finely crafted revolutionarypushing the talk switch without taking kaleidoscope of sound. Violins from thenew sound machine. off the feather -light stereophones. Dual left, trumpets from the right, while the volume controls, auto -stop and a bat- sounds of a vocalist seem to come from tery condition/operation indicator light somewhere above. round out a full compliment of conven- You've just experienced a breathtaking ience features to enhance your musical experience in sound. It's better than sit- enjoyment. ing in the middle of a full symphony MULTINATIONAL GUARANTEE orchestra. Cybernet is an extremely large Japanese As you take off the almost weightless Company with a large presence here in 11/2 ounce headphones and tentatively the U.S. They manufacture component look around for the orchestra, the real- systems valued in the thousands of dol- ization of the experience sinks in. lars and sophisticated wireless trasmis- Now you can enjoy more beautiful sion systems. sound from your cassettes while you are Cybernet backs the Pocket Concert jogging or washing the car than when Hall not with the usual limited 90 day you are sitting in front of your stereo. parts and labor guarantee, but with a SOMERSAULTS AND CARTWHEELS limited full one year guarantee. If you were on a diet yesterday, you DAK is America's largest direct selling probably lost more weight than the trif- manufacturer of magnetic products. We ling 16 oz. of the Pocket Concert Hall. add our own 30 day 100% satisfaction The Concert Hall goes where you go guarantee to protect your purchase. with a protective leatherette case that TRY THE POCKET CONCERT HALL easily hangs on your belt or rides com- RISK FREE fortably in your pocket. It also comes Take your Pocket Concert Hall on with an adjustable shoulder strap. walks, to the mountains or as you com- Whether you're into gymnastics, long mutetowork. Enjoy your favorite walks, or just mowing the lawn, you'll music wherever you are and experience enjoy the unbelievably rich stereo sound incredible concert hall realism. of the Pocket Concert Hall. And, to If for any reason you aren't 100% sat- prove our point, we offer you a 30 day isfied, simply return it in its original box risk free trial. for a courteous refund. To order your Pocket Concert Hall ENGINEERED FOR STRESS risk free with your credit card, call our Most fine stereo equipment is designed toll free hotline, or send your check for to be lovingly placed on a shelf and -e4ty-$.148,-121446-$2404eF-pestage-aR4 never moved. Obviously,thisisn't a -laandti.wle*-0444-14, (CA res add practical way tolisten when you're MUSIC AT YOUR COMMAND 6% sales tax. walking your dog or riding a bike. You won't be 'roughing it' when you Why settle for a radio station's choice The Pocket Concert Hall incorporatesleave home. You can play all your cas-of music and commercials when you can isan equalization a special dual flywheel tape movement settessincethere choose your favorite music on cassettes system with a unique anti -rolling mech-switch for Metal/Chrome or standard. anism resembling a fine clock. It keeps The sound is crisp and clean with aanywhere, any time. the music smooth and stable, even when frequencyresponse of 30-14,000hz. you're doing cartwheels. The entire system is operated by 4 AA The Pocket Concert Hall is specificallybatteries (included). DAK designedforrough treatment. Other There are convenient lock -in fast for- INDUSTRIES machines are really redesigned dictation ward and rewind buttons, plus cue and INCORPORATED recorders. The Pocket Concert Hallis review. If you want to listen to a song Call TOLL -FREE (800) 423-2636 designed to provide superb stereo musicagain, just press the review button with- n California Call (213) 984-1559 while you're on the move. out ever leaving play. 10845 Vanowen St., North Hollywood, CA 91605 CIRCLE NO. 14 ON READER SERVICE CARD Ifyou Tape Talk seek the sound of success... learn professional Different Dolbys Dolby -C, using wide -range material, shows how much noise we had learned to live with recording n What is the difference between Dolby almost unnoticed (through even Dolby -C \-04 B and C? doesn't get it all). Dolby -C does impose a CURTIS WHITE more stringent noise -level requirement on technology. Glenwood, Iowa the other circuits in the cassette deck itself, however, so it will undoubtedly be restricted ADolby-B (and JVC's essentially equiv- to "upper bracket" machines until lower - alent ANRS) has been the standard noise circuitryfilters down to the more home noise -reduction system for more than economical models. a decade. Inits "encode" mode (during recording) it operates by boosting low-level ("soft") treble frequencies before they are fedto the tape deck's record amplifier. Tape Wear During playback the tapeis "decoded," n I'm considering buying a deck with an restoring the proper audio -frequency bal- VIC "automatic tape sensor" as well as ance, by correspondingly cutting back all "cue" and "review" facilities, but I am the low-level high frequencies. Noise reduc- worried that these features might cause tion is achieved because the tape hiss inher- tape snarling, excessive oxide shedding. entinthe record playback process isn't and excessive head wear. Will they? boosted before recording but, like the other ANTHONY SIMS "soft" high frequencies, is subjected to the Chicago, Ill. playback -side cut. The totalnoise reduction achieved by AHappily, your worries are allground- Obtain the Dolby -B varies with both the level and the less. The "tape sensor" never touches frequency distribution of the treble content the tape (only the shell), and the additional Muth-frack Recording Technology of the original signal. If there are strongstress imposed by cue/review mechanisms diploma in one year, high -frequency components in the music, is negligible in ordinary use. or the four year the system bypasses itself, for further treble B.S. Degree in Music Technology boosting would overload the tape. When the via -he Institute of Audio Research- treble is soft (so that tape hiss would be Capstan Cleaners New York University joint program. audible), noise reduction starts to occur at about1,000 Hz and reachesitsmaxi- Is isopropyl alcohol safe for cleaning Fall '81 Quarter starts mum -10 dB-at frequencies of approxi- %-be rubber capstan rollers? Some people mately 5,000 Hz and above. have told me it removes vital constituents Thursday, September 24th. Dolby -C isa little-only a little-likeof the rubber compound and will rob the Winter '82 Quarter starts putting two Dolby -B systems in series. Thatroller of its suppleness, so to be on the safe Monday, January 4th. is to say, it achieves 20 dB of noise reduc- side I've avoided it.I use acetone for the tion and (presently) uses two Dolby -B inte- tape heads, but not for the rubber, since it Write or call for our 24 -page brochure, grated circuits, one acting conventionally is a powerful solvent. (please mention this publication): (thus preserving compatibility with the B JL. BAKER system) and the other being used (in the C Perth -Andover, New Brunswick mode) to process separately another 10 dB

Institute of dynamic range. The maximum frequency AI think you've gotten out of a cold

at which Dolby -C operatesislimited to frying pan and into a hot fire!I've of Audio approximately17 kHz, forithas been used isopropyl alcohol (in the 91 per cent Research found that at the extreme upper frequencies pure form, not the "rubbing -alcohol com- 64 University Place even Dolby -B can over -boost signals on a pound" form, which may contain some Greenwich Village fewvery wide -rangedecks. Dolby -C lubricants) on both tape heads and rubber New York, N.Y. 10003 extendstheprocessedfrequencyrange pinch -rollersfor some twenty years and (212) 677-7580 downward by about two octaves, however, have yet to harm either. Alcohol is, indeed, 1969 bringingnoise reductiontothemid - the chief ingredient of most tape -head and L censed by N.Y State Dept. of Education frequencies whereitwas not previously pinch -roller cleaners on the market. Approved for Veterans Training available with Dolby -B. The use of acetone on tape heads can be A comparison betweenDolby -B and (Continued on page 30)

CIRCLE NO. 26 ON READER SERVICE CARD 28 STEREO REVIEW When you're ready to "face" the music wehave a tip for reduced distortion

Whether you are seeking reproduce the full dynamic range in the grooves of today's new superdiscs, or simply to obtain maximum listening pleasure from treasured "oldies" in your record collection, you need a phono cartridge that will deliver optimum trackability with minimum distortion. Eecause the phono cartridge is the only point of direct contact between tie record and your entire stereo system, its role is critical to faithful sound re-creation. That's why upgrading your phono cartridge is the single most significant (and The HE Family: generally least costly) improvement you can make H.perelliptical-Equipped to your stereo system. To that end Shure now offers the Hyperellip- tical Sty us Tip configurat on -fi -st introduced cn the critically acclaimed V'5 Type IV-in a full line of cartridges with a broad range of prices. The Hyperelliptical Stylus Tip has been V15 Type IV MV3OHE 3,114 grams 34-1'.4 grams called the most significar t advance in decades in tip geometry. It has a narrower and more uniform elongated contact area that results in significantly reduced intermodulation and harmonic distortion. ..- .---!, r- Look over the list at left to see which Shure c;_z_,-.1-- r---44 <------k HE cartridge best matches your tracking force V15 LT V15 Type III -HE M97HE requirements. 1,4 grams .-1. grams 34-1' 2 grams Shure has been the top -selling cartridge manufacturer for the past 23 years. For full details on this remarkable line of cartridges write for AL667.

M97HE-AH M97 LT

(with attached headshell) 1 . grams 2 grams GoSHIJRE with the leader-Shure. Shure Brothers Inc.. 222 Hartrey Ave. Evanston, IL 60204 M95HE M75HE Type 2 M75HE-J Type 2 In Canada: A. C. Simmonds & Sons Limited grams 34-1,2 grams 1,,2, 2 grams Manufacturers of high fidelity components, microphone;. sound systems and relatec circuitry.

CIRCLE NO. 46 ON READER SERVICE CARD dangerous, however, for in some cases it can dissolve the glue that bonds the head lami- nations together. Also, of course, a drop of acetone spattering can mar nearby plastic THE MURA RED SET III. parts. A more effective cleaner than alcohol, and one which is safe for both heads andrubber, is trichlorotrifluoroethane, which is the active ingredient in the Nor- TRUE SPECS. tronics tape -head cleaner (and probably in others as well). At Mura, we believe the amacbrned trt_th is our strongest ally. That's because we produce stozrier and inucvative products jf uncompromising quality. Product; that con': require puffery and Unequal Highs half-truths to sell them. n Isitpossible touse a multiband Take our top of the line mini headphones, the Red SEt llTM The %IC equalizer to improve the frequency graph below represents the Red Set II I's frequency resporse. Note the response of an inexpensive tape so as to tosMMLNEIL MM. LAIM All mLa NI SR a= is INIMMI.Mt MI =LSO B MIL. L.M MIL= l..M AM M L. a MIIMMJNIMI M. MIMI MN match that of premium -price tapes? =MIMI MIN NI SI IN =Mb MIM NM NM M M M NIMIM MIMI de RENNIN M WM 1110 MEMO MMINIMINIMNIIIIMININNIIIIMNINI M MI NIilIMIIMI M mll -MIN MINNIE SKIMS ME MINIM INIIIIMMI MININIIMNINIMIM MMIMIMNIIMIIMMI MINI NIN DONALD W. COOK too MINN am Minn, m Iii .III WOMB= IMIM 411in am imm .1. =-,.,_ =..... Coral Gables, Fla. rMI :NM MM gM=EM =IIIIIMMPINn MINNWI MIMNM iMi M.-, MIN am me um Nu minor 1,mi.r ..mie mum mi ,...- . _ - ....=- rem iimiim. a INN'Al IMNI IIM =MI MOM 0,110MOWN IMIM MN MM. NIMIIN .1 NM MM.IMM1110 0 MM, os NEM II.= NM OM 11. MINIMUM, MEI MOM ME nMI MOO li MIMI I= I= MI IM ,i al= NM IMII =MEMO 11,..01 =MINIM NNINIMIN MINIM MINIM MEI 1M AYou can try it, of course, but I don't MIMIM MM.', ...t. IMMO IMI MUNI INMI SIC= C CI: I NM NM -ill NMI MIla IIMIS MIN .. oo ===''.::=""=.1.1MM.= MINIMUM ..EN MN.= IMM ' UMNNO think your chances of success-at NOM Nil miNINININ IMP IDINNIN MIMM MN M WIM NM MNIMNIMIS IMMI.!:N MUNN, NNNI IINIMNIMMIMI MEI WNW NIMI == 71:: MN M.MNINM IIIM .17,...= zn.: IMNIINIMIMNIMINMINN NINN 41INNI IIM WM IMIN IM MINIM NNII least with very inexpensive tapes-are very = MINI .NN IMMO MAIM MN MN1 ..111N m m m SE = === MU:: OM MiMml NIMMIN MN11 MIN es liMN MI MOMS NM NNIMMilm MN =MN . NMI Miliol IMMO OM IMI M MN good. By using the high -frequency sliders of IMIN EMMEN MM MM.. MN MINIM. IIMMONN IMMIMMININ MINIM MN. IM MMIN INNS IIINNIMI INNM MON MIN =MI, IMMIIIMI NMININI IN ONN IIINMINIIIIM -Mu MIN MIN M MN INN MNIMI MIN UMW MO NM MI MINNIN MIMMIMIDMMEMMMIO INMI IMI M OM NIN your equalizer during playback (not record- - MOM= m m a minmi .11.. mon MINININ mmm lm. m im so ing) you can probably achieve essentially 10 20 HZ 50 100 200 i00 IOW 200it: 5000 1.00 90:09 40000 equivalent frequency response from "next - use of 1dB increments so that maximum performance de:ail s to -premium" cassettes when the recorded revealed (rather than using Luger incremen:sascthers do to make high frequencies are at a relatively low their curve look flatter). Also ipte that oi_r Teast-sementane taken level. The hiss (which is already likely to be at realistic sound pressure levels 3rd that there is io peak or valley of higher than with premium tapes) will be more than 2dB from 1000 HE reference level over :he range cf 150 Hz higher, of course, but it may still be tolera- ble. The larger problem, however, concerns to 19,000 Hz. high frequencies at high levels.Inferior Of course one graph is rot a complete presentation el the specs tapes go into high -frequency overload at on the Red Set III. For instaice, TAD is Izss than 0.3% a:100 dB out- lower levels than the premium products do, put from 100 to 20,000 Hz. and there your equalizer won't be able to ° But the most impressive slx cf all is that sound of tk s qua! :y correct the problem. can be produced by a headset :hat weighsonly 1.6 oz. Try it for yourself. We tl-ink be truly amazed. Dokorder Repairs n/ own a Dokorder tape deck that is in %.11( need of repair. However, the parts T seem to be unavailable since Dokorder went out of business in the U.S. Can you help me? TOM MELITO Rochester, N.Y.

AWrite to Dokorder Service, P.O. Box

8,Lawndale, Calif.90260. They have a stock of partsforthe various Dokorder machines. They also perform repairs, but only on Dokorders.

Itt Bad Channel n When I record from my receiver, one K of my deck's meters reads much lower than the other. Can you suggest why and what I can do about it? STUART FISCHMAN New York, N.Y.

AThe first thing to check is whether the

faultisinthe signal source, the recorder, or the cables between them. First, interchangetheleft-and right -channel cables between the tape -out jacks of your receiver and your deck's input jacks at one end only. If the problem switches channels, either the signal source or one of the cables is defective. Substituting a different cable MURA on the problem channel may cure the diffi- You'll be Hearing From Us culty. If the problem does not switch channels, then the deck is at fault. 0 © 1981.Mura Corporation. Westbury. N.Y 11590 CIRCLE NO. 39 ON READER SERVICE CARD 30 STEREO REVIEW WHY SPEND $200 MORE ON A BETTER TAPE DECK WHEN ALL YOU NEED IS $2 MORE FOR A BETTER TAPE.

High scion 7ous ax 0 0 7,;1" Illaten Posh 120V N

)48.s 4,. AssErric. 945

II ith iSgOACA014164211i/ 1n35- nTri IL%

135 ,,irg No matter how much you spend on a tape deck, the sound that comes out of it can only be as good as the tape you put in it. So before you invest a few hundred dollars upgrading your tape deck, invest a few extra dollars in a new Maxell XLI-S or XLII-S cassette. They're the newest and most advanced generation of oxide formulation tapes. By engineering smaller and more uniformly shaped oxide particles, we were able to pack more of these particles onto a given area of tape. Now this might not sound exactly earth-shattering,but it can help your tape deck live up to its specifications by improving output, signal-to-noise ratio ancfrequency response. Our new XL -S cassettes also have an improved binder system, which helps keep the oxide particles exactly where they're supposed to be. On the tape's surface, not on your recording heads. As a result, you'll hear a lot more music and a lot less distortion. There's more to our XL -S tape than just great tape. We've also redesigned our cassette shells. Our new Quin-LokTM Clamp/Hub Assembly holds the leader firmly in place and eliminates tape deformation. Which means you'll not only hear great music, but you'll also be able to enjoy it a lot longer. So if you'd like to get better sound out of your tape system, [flaxen you don't have to put more money into it. Just put in our new tape.ITS WORTH IT Memel Capor000n o/ ...en. 60 Chicodll. Noemew Ni 00%14 CIRCLE NO 35 ON READER SERVICE CARD PIONEER LASERDISC. FIRST THE BEST PICTURE. goodness stereo. This combination of sight and sound creates a sensation you've simply never experienced at An actual freeze frame on tape.An actual freeze frame on disc. home before. The first time you see Pioneer LaserDisci" A reality of in action, you'll know it's different. performance, a It actually puts a picture on your TV sense of "being with 40%more video resolution than homethere" that makes video tape. (Viewed side by side with tape,watching a movie Attached to your stereo, it's more the difference is staggering.) or concert at homethan a great picture, it's great sound. The first time you hear Pioneer Laser- finally worth staying home for. Disc, you'll have a tough time believing Having created all this picture and sound your ears as well. Instead of hearing monofidelity, it seemed only logical to offer pict- with that picture, you'll hear honest -to- ures and sounds worth seeing and hearing. Software that would live up to the hardware. And that's precisely what we've done. Academy. Award winning movies like Ordinary People,The Godfather, Ordinary People' The Muppet Movie' King Kong' Tess, Coal Miner's Daughter. Comedies like Airplane, Animal House, Cheech and Chong. When you have the ability to play back in stereo, it makes sense that you offer music. So there are movie musicals like Grease, Saturday The Elephant Man' Night Fever, All That Jazz. There are Broadway shows like "Pippin." And there are concerts with Paul Simon, Liza Minnelli, Neil Sedaka, even the Opera. The sight and sound Popeye' The French Connection' The China Syndrome' experience of Pioneer LaserDisc is so remarkable, it seemed to demand a larger scale.Which led us to introduce the Pioneer 50" Projection TV. The experience is more like Alien' Butch Cassidy Tess' and the Sundance Kid' being at the movies than like being

I-Paramount Home Video 2-Magnetic Video 3-Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment at home. In fact, for the first time 4-Pioneer Artists TMifj, 1981 Pioneer Video. Inc. All rights reserved. seeing a concert at home offers a THEN THE BEST PICTURES. picture that's every bit as large as the nology is to see it. And we've arranged it. sound. As for the picture quality, well, just Just call us at 800-621-5199:' for the store look at the picture of Liza below. Hard to nearest you. *(In Illinois, 800-972-5855.) believe, it's an actual picture taken right off the screen. OD PIONEER' But with Pioneer LaserDisc you don't We bring it back alive. just sit back and watch. For example, with the "How to Watch Pro Football"disc, Liza in Concert' you can go backwards, forwards, in fast motion, slow motion, stop motion, study it one frame at a time. There are discs that teach you golf, tennis, cooking, step-by-step. Then there's The First National Kidisc. For the first time, children learn at their own rate. Un- like television, the disc responds to them. Your kids will love it so much they won't even know they're learning. The only way to believe all this new tech- CIRCLE NO. 58 ON READER SERVICE CARD The Pioneer 50"Pmjection TV.

The Pioneer LaserDisc Player.

LM Learvbc.,

1111. Laser, Ision ark .en Inca mpnabiln..nb other laser-41,mM prudut, be.iring the !nark - - ROOalbs -a MS= HEAD Let the beauty of MCS® take you beyond sound. See it. I Much it.Feelit. The IVCS Model 6720 Direct Drive Turntable. Its quartz crystal THE BEAUTYspeed control maintains platter speed accuracy and hE'rcrncuce THAT IS MCSwow and flutter. Hear it. Only 23995

STEREO

Prices higher in Alaska. Hawaii and Puerto Rico MCS' Se es Audio Components sold exclusively at JCPenney FOR THE SENSES C1981 The J. C. Penney Company. Inc CIRCLE NO. 60 ON READER SE3VICE CARD Technical Talk ByJulian D. Hirsch

How Much FM -Tuner Sensitivity Do You Need?

ARECENT letter frc,m a reader in Knox- tification, he wonders why there is all the harmonic -distortion figure of a modulated ville, Tennessee, reminded me rather current emphasis on pushbutton tuning, signal, while "quieting" refers to the noise forcefully that we fortunate FM listeners station memory, multipath indicators, and level relative to 100 per cent modulation). who reside in well -served metropolitan are- other whistles,bells, and "convenience" The average was 13.4 dBf(about as have a pretty easy time of it, at least in- features when all he wants (and is willing to 2.55 AV). If, by chance, one wants to hear sofar as signal strength is concerned. That pay for) is high sensitivity. programs in stereo, the problem is much is probably why I have felt that all the FM My first reaction to this letter was that more difficult, since in theory (and in prac- tuners and receivers tested by H -H Labs in the writer was already doing all that was tice as well) about 20 dB more signal is recent years have more than enough sensi- theoretically and practically possible to re- needed to achieve the same noise level in tivity for any reasonable person and that ceive those weak signals, since he men- stereo as in mono. The stereo 50 -dB quiet- sensitivity is really a minor specification in tioned using "stacked log -periodic" anten- ing -sensitivity range was from 31.5 to 40.5 terms of its actual importance to the major- nas that are much more elaborate than the dBf, with the average figure being 35.7 dBf ity of FM listeners. antenna systems typically used with stereo (32 µV). I still feel that way, but the letter makes FM receivers. However, to improve my per- One fact emerges from the data, and it is itplain that there are some listeners for spective I tabulated some of the sensitivity that a number of presently available receiv- whom this is not necessarily true. My corre- data for the twenty-two tuners and receivers ers and tuners, at all price levels, have sen-

spondent explains that he prefers to listen to we reported on during 1979 and 1980. 1 sitivities that approach theoretical limits; classicalmusic, that such programming listed the mono IHF usable sensitivity and moreover, in many casesless expensive generally comes from far-off stations, and the 50 -dB quieting sensitivity for both mono units outperform the more expensive ones that most hi-fi component tuners and re- and stereo, all figures being in dBf. tin respect to sensitivity, at least). Even if ceivers are not up to the task. He feels that If one is interested only in hearing a pro- one selects a tuner or receiver at random, the designers of these products (and, by im- gram, disregarding the noise accompanying the sensitivity, no matter how specified, is plication, reviewers such as myself who are it, the IHF mono usable -sensitivity figure is likely to be within 2 or 3 dB of the best at- satisfied with their performance) are not perhaps a reasonable minimum basis for se- tainable figure. Until recently I would have meeting his needs or the needs of a number lecting a tuner. The range of measured fig- said that it does not seem possible to make a of others of his acquaintance. ures for these receivers was from 10 to 17 significant improvement in any of these sen- To hear his favorite stations, he must op- dBf, with the average being 11.2 dBf (about sitivity ratings without a major design com- erate his tuner in its mono mode with the 2.1 microvolts). They spanned a wide price promise such as degraded stereo separation muting defeated. Of course, he also uses a range, and there was little or no correlation orunacceptabledistortion.However, I roof -mounted, rotatable high -gain antenna. between price and sensitivity. know of at least two respected designers Oddly enough, he is able to obtain usable If a tolerably quiet (but by no means "hi- who claim to have broken through the theo- reception from a highly sensitive-but defi- fi") background -noise level is required, the retical limit using a new technical approach nitely not "hi-fi"-all-wave receiver that 50 -dB mono quieting sensitivity can be used (see last month's "Bulletin" page). also has FM coverage. It has considerable for comparison. Here the range of measure- distortion and very little audio power, but it ments was from 10 to 18 dBf, almost iden- To return to my correspondent's problem: at least receives stations that are ignored tical to the usable -sensitivity range (the two he is apparently already using a rather ela- completely by some elaborate hi-fi compo- do not measure the same thing, however, borate antenna system. Whatever it may nents. Therefore, and with considerable jus- since "usable" refers to a 3 per cent total - be, simply "stacking" another similar unit

Tested This Month Sound Concepts SX-80 CX Adaptor Altec 6 Speaker System Adcom GFP-1 Preamplifier Nikko NR -1000 AM/FM Sterec Receiver Audio-Technica AT155LC Pho-io Cartridge

SEPTEMBER 1981 35 above it and thus doubling the number of will occupy a space about 150 feet long in Radio Relay League and available at large elements will add a useful 3 dB to the signal the desired direction (and about the same technical bookstores.) power at his receiver's antenna terminals. amount in its width) and need not be very Obviously, few people face such a diffi- Further, if one is fortunate enough to have high to be effective. It would provide recep- cult situation as does my correspondent. the necessary space, there is no need to limit tion far surpassing anything that could be Nevertheless, the same principles apply in oneself to conventional rotatable Yagis or achieved by purely electronic means.If every case. FM tuner sensitivity as such is similar antennas. A large fixed antenna space is available, such an antenna could be not a be-all, end-all specification, for a good such as a rhombic (or stacked rhombics if constructed out of wire for a few dollars- antenna will enable even a so-so tuner to one is really serious) aimed at the preferred compared with the thousands that might be run rings around the most highly advanced, station will accomplish wonders. Gains of required for a "super -sensitive" tuner. With super -sensitive tuner if the latter is being 15 or 20 dB over results obtained with a di- such an antenna, there is even some chance operated with an inferior antenna. And re- pole antenna are possible with reasonable that those far-off stations could be received member-antenna gainis almost always antenna sizes at FM broadcast frequencies. in stereo with passable quality. (For more far cheaper, if not more convenient, to ob- For example, a rhombic antenna ten wave- information about rhombics, see The A RLL tainthan anequivalentgainintuner lengths long on each leg (about 100 feet) Antenna Book published by the American sensitivity.

Equipment TesE Reports By Hirsch -Houck Loborotcries

TAPE C X

PRE NORM

Sound Concepts SX-80 CX Adaptor

THE recently announced CBS "CX" com- decoding. The name of the system-CX-- characteristic of the recording system re- panding system for recording was de- standsfor"compatible expansion."Al- turns to its normal 1:1 linear relationship. veloped specifically to reduce noise in pho- though only a few CX-encoded discs have Although record noise is measurably em- nograph records. Like the dbx disc -noise - so far been released,itis expected that phasized at both low and high frequencies, reduction system, CX requires the use of within a year virtually all new releases from the Fletcher -Munson effect causes the per- specially encoded discs, played through a Columbia, Epic, and a number of other la- ceived surface noise to be nearly uniform complementary decoder, for optimum re- bels (Warner Bros. and RCA have an- with frequency. For this reason, the CX sys- sults. Those results include a 20 -dB im- nounced their intention to participate) will tem is designed to "compand" (compress provement in signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), be CX-encoded, particularly since the sys- and expand) uniformly across the entire au- effectively extending the dynamic range of tem is being made available on a royalty - dio range. This differs from both the Dolby - analog discs to better than 80 dB and rival- free basis to the rest of the industry. C system, which affects only high and mid- ing the performance claimed for the still - At present, several manufacturers are dle frequencies, and dbx, which covers all to -come digital audio disc systems. (This is building CX decoders under license, using frequencies but is weighted to suit the char- based on the assumption that a recording both integrated and discrete circuit ele- acteristics of tape noise. The operating pa- made on a twenty -four -track digital tape re- ments. Eventually, most of the decoding cir- rameters of the CX system are designed corder with a 95 -dB S/N per channel, when cuits will be available in a single IC chip, specifically for the noise and level charac- mixed down to two channels for stereo, will which should expedite the appearance of teristics of phonograph records. For exam- have an 81 -dB S/N.) The dbx noise -reduc- CX-decoding circuits in receivers, ampli- ple, the absence of compression below -40 tion system provides better than 20 dB im- fiers, and preamplifiers. dB prevents the CX system from boosting provement, but it must be decoded to sound In the CX-encoding process the signal the master tape's noise above a record's acceptable even to a noncritical listener. dynamics are compressed by 2:1 from above background noise even when the record is CBS set out to develop a disc encode/de- a 0 -dB recording reference level down to played without decoding. code system which would be capable of sig- -40 dB. This range encompasses much or In the decoder, the input signals from the nificant noise reduction and whose encoded the audible program content of music rec left and right channels are combined, recti- discs would not suffer by comparison with ords. At levels below -40 dB there is no fied, and filtered by a circuit with a 1-msec ordinary stereo discs when played without compression, and the input/output transfer (Continued on page 40)

36 STEREO REVIEW Vikt last there'sa cassette transport at fully exploits the precision

There's also an electronic-cigital of quartz. tape/time4=iunr. Peak/VU flJo-es- 11050 You expect precision from quartz -locked cent level meters. Memory and direct -drive. But with a wow and flutter specifi- Auto Rewind. And lull -logic transport cation of 0.319% WRMS, the JVC DD -9 goes controls. beyond your wildest expectations. Is there a place in your sysm for a Audibly, :his means complete freedom from deck as accurate as the DJ -9? Or the pitch wave-ing. Plus uncanny clarry in the high DD -7 or CD -5, both with WOW and flut- frequencies thanks to almost total absence of ter at 0.02'1% WRMS? Wt -y npt visit 3 flutter. JVC dealer and find out. What else can you expect from a deck that's this accurate? Dolby C for one thing. It re- - duces noise by 20 dB (versus 10 dB with the previous Dolby system). And it operates much

farther dovwn into the midrange, giving 15 dB -wit quarz-lock .4d diract-drive. noise reduction even at 500 Hz. Against this newfound background of Quartz -locked direct-dnietrarspod silence you'll hear a greater resolution e.141.

of musical details, especially with wide- )741-111414.-- mob range source material. There's )they JVC magic in the , DD -9, too. Like our computer B.E.S.T system that automatically measures every tape you use. Then sets bias, EQ and noise -reduction values to achieve ruler -flat response with lowest possible distortion. While JVC's heralded Sen-Alloy (SA) Heads give you supremely IQW distortion plus rugged du -ability, all in a three -head US ,VC CORP. configuration. 41 Slaet Crive, Emwood Park, NU 07e07 Dolpy is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories JVC CAIN DA, INC Scarbrough, Olt Any loudspeaker system this flat deserves a fair hearing.

If you like the flatness of our precision -engineered compo- bass all the way down to the L112 frequency response nents working together to lowest notes. curve (below), you'll be even achieve sound so natural more impressed by the there's no sense of a speaker Our SFG innovations-the smooth, natural, uncolored at all-only the music. symmetrical magnetic field at sound that goes with it. the voice coil gap, and the Cleaner, more powerful bass. aluminum Flux Stabilizing The L112 is a perfect example The L112's Symmetrical Field Ring-dramatically reduce of JBL's advanced engineer- Geometry (SFG) 12" woofer, the second harmonic distor- ing design philosophy at with its larger 3" edge -wound tion found in conventional work. Lasers, holography, voice coil and specially drivers. computers and the human coated cone, delivers the bass notes of music with ex- More high frequency detail. ear interfacing toward one Specifically designed for the end: The flattest, most accu- tremely low distortion. Lower than any other bookshelf sys- L112 system, our new 1" 044 rate sound reproduction in high frequency dome radiator JBL bookshelf history. The tem we've ever tested. You'll engineers examine tweeter hear crisp, clean, powerful is formed of a lightweight kind of pure, uncompromised phenolic material, coated with cone movement like an X-ray allows physicians to examine sound quality that's made aluminum by means of a JBL the longstanding choice vapor deposition process. the human body. Diaphragm of audio professionals The 044 tweeter was de- excursions have been refined worldwide. veloped using the capabilities for exceptionally smooth response, maximum stereo The overall performance of our fully equipped laser - optics laboratory. imaging and high power han- quality of the L112 bookshelf dling. You'll hear harmonics system is the result of many Laser holography helps our you've never heard before.

UR First with the pros. 111111111111

Frequency response of the L112, measured on - axis at 1 meter with a 1 -watt input in a free field (47) environment. Response in a room will vary, depending upon room acoustics and system placement. Actual graph available upon request.

100 200 500 JBL

Superior transient response. Each L112 is veneered in Audition it with the kind of Our new High Resolution American black walnut, oiled music you like best, with the Dividing Network enables and hand -rubbed to a lus- help of the audio specialists the L112 to deliver transients trous fine furniture finish. at your nearest authorized JBL dealer with startling immediacy. The In the end, we know that you network controls each of the -and you alone-are the For the name and address of L112's drivers throughout its final judge of the products we full operating range. You'll the JBL dealer nearest you, work so long and so hard to write: James B. Lansing hear sound so coherent it will produce. seem that only one extremely Sound, Inc., 8500 Balboa wide -range transducer is So, listen to the L112 book- Blvd., P.O. Box 2200, Northridge, CA 91329. responsible. shelf system for yourself. Traditional JBL craftsman- Comparison Analysis now ship. The L112 represents available. Recently, we con- more than engineering excel- ducted a very enlightening lence. It is also an example of series of performance tests JBL's longtime commitment comparing the L112 against to fine craftsmanship and several competitive speakers. unrelenting quality control. For a copy of the documented Each speaker is crafted in the results, as well as reprints of U.S.A. at our Northridge, Cal- recently published L112 ifornia facility, and undergoes reviews, please write to us at more than 50 inspections and the above address, attention: JBL haman international tests during manufacture. L112 Comparison Analysis. CIRCLE NO. 29 ON READER SERVICE CARD

111111111111111

2k 5k (millisecond) attack time and a 10-msec re- amplifier in use, but the system is relatively original 2:1 expansion slope was restored, lease time. Although this allows the expan- noncritical, and in practice most cartridges and the slope reverted to a 1:1 ratio above sion -control signal to follow rapid changes and amplifiers should give satisfactory re- +10 dB (as in the CX mode). The effect of program level, it would normally cause sults with the factory settings. was to pass most program material without unacceptable "pumping" of background The specifications of the Sound Concepts modification, but a high-level peak input of noise. Therefore, the rectified control signal SX-80 include a frequency response flat to +10 dB appeared as a + 18 -dB output. The is further processed by four separate filters ± 0.25 dB from 20 to 20,000 Hz, distortion 8 -dB expansion gave a worthwhile extra with differenttime constants whose of less than 0.1 per cent at standard operat- "impact" to many normal records, and in summed output voltage controls variable - ing level, and a noise output of 85 dB below our tests it never degraded the sound in any gain amplifiers in the main left- and right - standard operating level. The maximum way. channel signal paths. output voltage is 8 volts rms into a 10,000 - The 1,000 -Hz output distortion at 0 dB One filter permits only the first 30 msec ohm load. The SX-80 consumes less than 3 was about 0.06 per cent, increasing slowly of the "attack" (a sudden change in signal watts. Price: $99.95. to 0.2 per cent at +6 dB to 0.5 per cent at level) to reach the control stage. A second +10 dB. The unweighted output noise was filter passes only signals longer than 30 LaboratoryMeasurements.Aswith less than100 microvolts (our minimum msec, continuing the control action for sig- most noise reducers and other dynamic sig- measurement limit, and 80 dB below I volt) nals of long duration with a minimum of nalprocessors, our laboratory measure- with the decoder adjusted for unity gain at ripple in the control waveform. A long- ments of the Sound Concepts SX-80 con- 0 -dB level. We also made a spectrum anal- time -constantfilter(about 2 seconds) sisted principally of verifying its input/out- ysis of the output noise with the SX-80 driv- tracks only the low-level steady -signal com- en from an RIAA-equalized preamplifier ponents to minimize signal modulation and whose input was terminated in 1,000 ohms. audible noise. The fourth filter responds to The noise was measured across the audio a sudden decrease of signal level, adjusting range with the CX-decoding circuits both the gain -control voltage at a rate which will active and bypassed. This showed about 18 not cause audible noise pumping until the dB of noise reduction at low frequencies (20 third(long -time -constant)filteroutput to 200 Hz), falling to 8 to 10 dB in the mid- takes over. range and rising to about 13 dB between Although the operation of the CX circuit 2,000 and 5,000 Hz (see accompanying may seem complex when described, itis scope photo) before falling to zero at 20,000 really no problem to achieve at relatively Hz. These figures cannot be related to the low cost with today's solid-state electronics. usual single -value noise specification, but (It would have been prohibitively expensive they do show the actual effect of the SX-80 with tube circuits.) As a matter of fact, the on RIAA-weighted noise from a conven- major cost in a CX adaptor is in the chassis, tional preamplifier (which, although it dif- power -supply parts, and other assorted nec- fers from the actual record -noise spectrum, essary hardware rather than the CX circuit- Spectrum analysis of phono-preamp will be combined with the latter in a real ry itself. This means that when the CX cir- noise reduction, 20 Hz to 43 kHz, at listening situation). cuits are built into components (perhaps in the output of an SX-80 CX decoder. early 1982), their inclusion should not add Upper trace, decoder bypassed; lower Comment.We heard the CX system appreciably to the overall cost. trace, noise -reduced decoded signal. demonstrated by CBS earlier at a press Vertical scale divisions indicate 10 dB. showing, and it was quite impressive under AMONG the first companies licensed to those conditions (with insignificant audible build a CX decoder is Sound Concepts, changes between the digital master tape whose Model SX-80 was evaluated for this and a CX-encoded disc cut from it). Under report. The unit we tested was a prototype; put transfer characteristic, distortion versus more familiar listening conditions in the lab though it differs in mechanical details from signal level, and noise level. The bulk of the the results were much the same. Unfortu- production models, its electrical perform- evaluation was done by listening to the CX- nately, some of the demo records supplied ance met the CBS criteria. It was supplied encoded records suppliedtousforthe were apparently made from analog master to us with several CX-encoded records pro- tests. tapes and tape hiss could be heard clearly at duced for demonstrating the system. The transfer characteristic was quite the beginning of those discs. Others were The Sound Concepts SX-80 is a small close to the stated one. The 2:1 expansion quieter, and the program emerged from a black box 51/2 inches wide, 31/2 inches deep, occurred between input levels of approxi- dead -silent background. There was never and 21/4 inches high; it weighs 2 pounds. It mately +10 and -30 dB relative to the any "pumping" of background noise or oth- was designed to be connected into the tape - unit's reference level, at which the LED er audible clues that a compander system monitor loop of an amplifier or receiver. On changed from green to red. (That level cor- was at work. At any volume -control settings itsfrontpanelarethreepushbutton responded to an input of 0.17 volt at 1,000 that would reasonably be used in home lis- switches; one connects or bypasses the de- Hz.) The front -panel level control was set tening, there was no audible speaker output coding circuits, and another restores the for an output of 0.17 volt (unity gain) with while playing silent grooves even with our function of the amplifier's tape -monitor a 0 -dB input, although it could be increased ears pressed to the speaker grille. switch. The third pushbutton, PEAK/CX, to an output of 0.69 volt if desired. These This subjective effect will be familiar to turns on an expander circuit. This feature, are all arbitrary levels, of course, set by the anyone who has used dbx, Hi -Corn II, Dol- not a part of the CX process, is provided in manufacturer but user -adjustable to suit a by C, or any other "20-db-or-better" noise - the SX-80 to give an upward expansion of particular phono cartridge and preampli- reduction system. Although we didnot the dynamic range during playback of ordi- fier, and the expansion range can be moved make any A -B comparisons, the CX system nary (non-CX-encoded) discs. An output - up and down to accommodate a different was at least subjectively equal to any of level knob enables the user to match the range of signal levels. In our case, an input them in respect to noise reduction and free- subjective volume levels of CX-decoded and variation of 35 to 40 dB resulted in an out- dom from audible "processing" flaws. normal discs. A LED glows green when the put change of at least 70 dB, and the slopes The "acid test" for compatibility of the CX mode is selected if the signal level is less at inputs greater than +10 dB or less than CX system was to listen to encoded records than the decoder's "0 -dB" reference. Above -30 dB gradually reverted to the unmodi- without decoding. This is actually CX's that level (which should correspond to the fied 1:1 values. only real reason for being, for although the output of a typical cartridge deliveringI The PEAK/CX expander button, when other systems are capable of achieving the millivolt per cm/sec into a preamplifier pressed, disabled the CX decoding circu:ts. desired S/N performance, they are "incom- having a33 -dB gain)thelightpasses The SX-80 then operated as a linear ampli- patible"-one simply cannot get satisfac- through yellow and into red. There are in- fier (its overall gain was still adjustable by tory playback without correct decoding. ternal adjustments to match the decoder's the front -panel knob) at input levels below 0 With the CX records, when the system was operation to the particular cartridge and dB. From approximately 0 to +10 dB the (Continued on page 42)

40 STEREO REVIEW 1939...FIRST DIRECT -DRIVE TURNTABLE SYSTEM. 1951...FIRST MOVING -COIL CARTRIDGE. .1972...FIRST DIGITAL (PCM) RECORDING.

Denon was founded 71 years ago. making it among the oldest extant companies in the audio industry. Thirty years ago, Denon first entered the professional recording field, and today it is the prime supplier to organizations like the NHK, Japan's equivalent to the British BBC. Denon's professional products range from blank tape to 24 -track recording consoles to fully automated radio stations; their accom- plishments include the development of PCM (digital recording), one of the most significant advancements in the history of recorded sound. In the U.S. Denon is known primarily by those .in the know. in Japan, the land where electronics is king, Denon is king of the land.

.1981..THE DENON DR -330 AND DR -320 SERVO-TENSIONER THREE -HEAD CASSETTE DECKS. Many manufacturers would lead you to believe that three heads alone DENON can transform a cassette deck. Denon's experience with professional studio tape -recorders proved that lack of uniform tape -to -head contact and proper Imagine transport stability, can create serious phase problems-especially in the high frequencies-whether the recorder has three heads or two. what we'll To solve this problem, Denon developed a unique Tape Tension Servo Sensor, a system that maintains uniform tape -to -head contact during record do next. and playback. In addition, Denon originated the Non -Slip Reel Drive mechanism (without clutches) which provides the extremely stable tape movement and prolongs the deck's life. Before the development of the DR -330 (Speed Control and fine Bias Adjustment), Denon built two -head decks, which many audiophiles prefer even to the most expensive conventional three -head units. With the development of the Tape Tension Servo Sensor and Non -Slip Reel Drive, Denon has realized the full potential of the three -head configuration. The Denon DR -320 and DR -330. Two important contributions to better Denon America, Inc sound reproduction, from the company where innovation is a tradition. 27 Law Drive, Fairfield, N J 07006 CIRCLE NO. 18 ON READER SERVICE CARD (Remote control RC -55 optionally available.) Reports adjusted for the same volume on loud pas- record players are free of low -frequency To us, it seems that with CX the consum- sages with CX switched in and out, the low- noise, and many systems have audible, er comes very close to getting something for level passages, as expected, got louder with though faint, power -line hum when their (almost) nothing. CX-encoded records will CX off and became softer with it on. How- phono inputs are used. With CX, those sell for the same price as non -encoded rec- ever, in no case would we have been able to noises are gone-totally! It makes an ordi- ords. Eventually,if CBS' plans come to tell just from listening without a decoder nary, modestly priced turntable as quiet as fruition, all or most new records will be CX that the records were CX-encoded; they the most refined and expensive turntable encoded and most receivers and amplifiers sounded pretty much like ordinary stereo (actually quieter, since the difference in will have low-cost built-in CX decoders. discs. With CX on, however, the sound be- rumble is much less than 20 dB). Although This will not, however, make the develop- came much more natural (analogous to the the Sound Concepts SX-80 that reaches the ment of digital audio discs unnecessary, for difference in sound quality between an FM market (about the time you read this) may they will have other qualities (zero flutter station using lots of compression and one look slightly different from our test sample, and durability, for example) that are un- that uses very little). Also, with a decoded itwill operate in the same manner, and likely to be approached by any analog sys- CX-encoded disc, the maximum volume there will of course be other brands avail- tem. Still, CX brings the S/N of the ordi- could be increased substantially without able as well. It is to be expected that their nary,run-of-the-mill phonograph record noise being audible during quiet portions. CX performance will be generally alike, and its reproducing hardware close to the To us, the most impressive aspect of the since they are all built to meet CBS specifi- levels touted for digital -disc record systems CX process was its reduction of low -fre- cations, but some (like the SX-80) might of the future-and CX is here now. quency noise. Hiss is already fairly low on have a special feature, such as the peak ex- many good records, but very few records or pander, in addition to CX decoding. Circle 140 on reader service card

THE Altec 6 is one of a new series of me- preferably on a stand that raises its tweeter dispersion of the horn is demonstrated in dium -size speakers featuring technolo- to ear level. the specified coverage: 100 degrees horizon- gy that has until now been available only in The woofer operates up to 700 Hz, where tally and from +40 to -20 degrees verti- Altec's larger home and professional sys- itis crossed over to the 5 -inch midrange cally. If the speaker is to be mounted hori- tems. A three-way system using a 10 -inch cone driver. The second crossover, at 5,000 zontally, the horn can be rotated 90 degrees woofer in a vented enclosure, it is a relative- Hz, is to a compression driver coupled to a to maintain the same polar coverage. ly large (though not unduly heavy) system "Mantaray" horn. The Mantaray constant - The Altec 6, nominally an 8 -ohm system, for shelf mounting, which is one of the rec- directivity horn and "Tangerine" phase has fairly high sensitivity. It is rated to de- ommended modes of installation since it of- plug are also used, in larger sizes, in the liver a 90 -dB sound -pressure level measured fers the advantage of placing the tweeter more expensive Altec systems. In the Altec atImeter when driven by 1watt of wide - near ear level. Alternatively, the speaker 6, the scaled -down horn is driven by a lead- band pink noise. The speaker is rated for can be installed (vertically) on the floor, zirconate titanate (LZT) driver. The wide (Continued on page 44)

42 STEREO REVIEW CARD SERVICE READER ON 6 NO CIRCLE L Becliorc rrive. Crosb Systems, BASF make. ever you'll recordings best the For

6kHz) (2 sensitive most is ear human the whe-e greatest time our of antis recording prominent is tape bias high ordinary and II PRO even smooth, alignment, most the of sorre of tapes master studio between level noise in difierenc9 The perfect for shell cassette recording origincl tae from I) I ( time real it dupliccted are cassetis prerecorded Hs I -precision ultra new the in modi- from made are tapes lot k 41e lk 315 125 s3 5 31 art the of state These Cassettes .1ity Fid comes II r encased fessional bias high ordinary While High Recording' Maste- Original the 'r-11111! "41M --it) tor Lab ielityScr.rid Ft Mobile by chcsen Pro- tapes, BASF all Like tape. other like made I MILUSICI IF W35 it sLpenor so 5 II Professional F BA: well as is oecause tape other Lab. Sound fidelity alloblio 1,1211'th=151111 no is 111112211=1=111211PS1 frequencies high standing like II Professional replacement out- bui noise, background II essioncl Prof free a for BASF to it -urn re of minimum absolute an BASF's s tape That mshandling-simply tape? a delivers only not that dium orld. in the in tape cr abuse for 1-except fa in want you whcr that me- magnetic a provide oxide any of ncse ground ever cassette BASF any isn't And tape the of none particles sized uniformly back- lowest be with range guarcnteeEhosld lifetime and music the of all hear and shaped perfectly These irequercy hig critical a with :orne you'l. II, Professional With dioxide chromium pure the in sitivity r se standing cEALEFErna is o is GUARANTEE reproduction ity fide high of made II Professional out- comlame able tape tape BASF kll consistent and movement oxide, ferric of particles fled bias higl- one onll. Today, twirlflPfbalIVIS use with amplifiers delivering between 20 when the control was moved from its maxi- wideband noise on which Altec bases their and 200 watts per channel. It is protected mum setting to the lowest point on its "op- rating. Our sensitivity reading of 87 dB by Altec's "Automatic Power Control," a timum" scale (at about a 2 o'clock knob set- with I watt input would rank the Altec 6 passive (signal -powered) circuitthatre- ting). At a middle setting the tweeter was between the most efficient acoustic -suspen- sponds to an excessive power input by atten- already turned off. The middle -frequency sion speakers and some moderately efficient uating the signal for the duration of the output was adjustable between the limits of vented systems. overload. A red light, visible through the 1,000 and 8,000 Hz with about 3.5 dB of black grille, glows when this happens. change between the maximum and middle Comment. Initially, we set up the Altec The cabinet of the Altec 6 is veneered in settingsof the control(the "optimum" 6 speakers with their level controls at maxi- endriana (a wood from the South Pacific range fell between those limits). mum (the distinction between the "op- whose color and grain are somewhat similar The woofer output, close-miked and com- timum" and maximum settings of the con- to walnut). The front baffle is covered with bined with the port output, was greatest at trols is not too visible at a glance). The a black acoustic -damping material to re- about 80 Hz, where it was about 5 dB above sound was noticeablybright and crisp. duce diffraction effects, and the drivers are the average midrange level. With the level When we experimented with the controls mounted flush with the baffle for the same adjustments optimized, the overall variation and placed the systems on a shelf against a reason. The cabinetis251/2 inches high, of our response curve was less than ±4 dB wall instead of on the floor, there was a 151/2 inches wide, and 131/2 inches deep. The from 50 to 20,000 Hz. The "anechoic" fre- striking transformation in their sonic char- speaker weighs 37 pounds. Its spring -loaded quency response of the speaker, as meas- acter. Altec's recommended settings were input connectors are recessed into the rear ured by our new INDAC FFT-analyzer then just about right, and the speakers of the cabinet. On the front baffle, flanking computer, was within ±6 dB from 200 to sounded excellent. They still showed a trace the three vertically aligned drivers, are the 18,000 Hz (the high -frequency limit being of brightness, but the sound was at all times woofer -vent opening and a control panel set by the analyzer). There was a fairly nar- pleasant and easy to live with. containing continuously variable midrange - row dip in output at about 5,000 Hz, appar- The presence of the Automatic Power and tweeter -level adjustment knobs and the ently caused by a crossover cancellation at Control virtually challenged us to test its ef- indicator lightfor the Automatic Power the microphone position used for this meas- ficacy (but only after our measurements Control. Each control has a broadly desig- urement. The woofer response was essen- had been completed). With a 200 -watt am- nated "optimum" range where the flattest tially the same as measured with our regu- plifier driving the systems, we slowly turned overall frequency response will be obtained. lar procedure. up the volume, alert for any sounds of dis- The rated frequency responseis60 to The woofer distortion was very low down tress or for the red alert light on the speaker 20,000 Hz ± 2.5 dB. Price: $350. to 60 Hz (about 0.5 per cent or less at a baffle to come on, whichever occurred first. 1 -watt input and under Iper cent at a 10 - The protection circuit won the race. Before Laboratory Measurements. With both watt input). Even at 40 Hz, the 1 -watt dis- any of the other possible limitations on level controls set to maximum, the reverber- tortion was only 1.7 per cent and at 10 watts maximum level came into effect, the red ant -field response of the Altec 6 was quite it was about 6 per cent. The system imped- lights came on brightly and unmistakably. smooth through the midrange and rose ance was 5 ohms in the 20- to 30 -Hz region, We heard no evidence of the level limita- above 5,000 Hz to a maximum of about peaking at 30 ohms at the 60 -Hz resonance tion, but at that sound level (close to 110 +10 dB at 20,000 Hz. The dispersion of the and dropping to 7 ohms at 100 Hz (which dB) no one's hearing is at its best. Our con- Mantaray-horn tweeter was outstanding, would be the normal impedance -rating fre- clusion:the Altec 6isafine -sounding, with almost no measurable difference be- quency for the speaker). It varied smoothly good-looking, well -protected speaker selling tween the left- and right -channel response between 7 and 16 ohms over the rest of the at a very fair price. A really nice job in curves up to 20,000 Hz. The high -frequency audio range. The sensitivity was slightly every way. levelcontrolaffectedfrequencies above lower than rated, but we use only an octave 7,000 Hz, reducing their level by 7 to 10 dB band of noise at 1,000 Hz instead of the Circle 141 on reader service card

Ttie Adcom GFP- Iis a compact, no -frills Adcom G FA- Ipower amplifier, matching The most prominent feature of the front preamplifier/control center whose de- its flat -black exterior finish. A large, square panel of the GFP- Iis the large volume sign stresses low noise and maximum com- pushbutton power switch at the left of the knob, which operates a lightly detented for- patibility with other system components. front panel controls two switched a.c. out- ty -position control. Smaller knobs are used The G FP- Iweighs about 111/2 pounds and lets in the rear (there is also one unswitched for the bass and treble tone controls, bal- is suitable for rack mounting: front -panel outlet). The 800 -watt rating of the switched ance control, and input selector. The last dimensions are 19 inches by 3 inches and outlets makes them suitable for powering operates a switch at the rear of the pream- depth is 121/2 inches. the 200 -watt -per -channel GFA- Ior any plifier close to the input jacks through a The G FP -1is an ideal companion for the other high -power amplifier. (Continued on page 46)

44 STEREO REVIEW Blaupunkt Innovations in Automotive Sound Only thenewBlaupunkt 3001 has Remote Control Station Scanning and Illuminated Controls a sophisticated AM/FM Stereo To carry conven- Because of its compact chassis His11 Cassette that incorporates two of theience a step further, plus adjustable shafts it will fit easily latest Blaupunkt advances in car stereo. Blaupunkt furnishes into the dash of just about any car. you with a remote Blaupunkt engineers have found a control device which you can Blaupunkt 3001 Features way to minimize the aggravation of mount on your dash or your steer- 4 x 15W (4 separate channels) 12 Electronic Station Presets searching out a station while you ing column. This device lets you Electronic Station Scan drive. The 3001 has a built in micro- perform the above scanning opera- Remote Control Scanner processor that, among other things, tion without even touching the radio. Illuminated Station Controls Digital Frequency/Clock Display relieves you of twiddling with knobs Local/Distance Switch and fine tuning dials to isolate the Illumination for night driving Stereo/Moso Switch station you want to enjoy. Convenience is not the only con- ASU (Automatic FM Noise Suppression) "Dolby Noise Reduction Circuit cern of Blaupunkt engineers. To Autoreverse Cassette Scan manually or improve the margin of safety during Pushbutton Locking Fast Forward by remote control night driving, the essential controls and Rewind Sendust Head When you want to on the face of the 3001 are fully Secrarate Bass and Treble scan the AM or FM illuminated. You can expect other Seceirate Fader and Balance spectrum, you simply Tape Bias Compensation Switch Power OFF Eject press a knob and the "'Dabt is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories. microprocessor orders an automatic signal For more information write: scanner to do the rest. 8.3 Robert Bosch Sales Corporation It will lock in each sta- 2800 South 25th Avenue tion, crystal clear and Broadview, IL 60153 with no interference, for The essential controls are fully illuminated. Robert Bosch Canada, Ltd. five seconds. Then it auto- car stereos to incorporate this fea- 6811 Century Avenue matically advances to the ture sooner or later. At Blaupunkt Mississauga, Ontario L5N 1R1 next frequency, station by sta- we're used to that. 'Suggested retail price exclusive of installation and itir it tion, until you hear what you The 3001 sells for $630* and is like. Just press the knob once more part of a complete line of AM/FM OBLAUPUNKT to lock in the station of your choice. stereo cassettes priced from $250. C Robert Bosch Sales Corporation flestiesporis flexible shaft and provides inputs from two ohms in parallel with 1,000 picofarads (pF). response curves hinged at 3,000 Hz. The magnetic phono cartridges and two high- The output noise with the high-level inputs maximum tone -control range was unusually level sources (TUNER and AUX). was unmeasurable under our test condi- large, with about ±20 dB of bass adjust- The other front -panel controls are push- tions, being less than the100 -microvolt ment available at 30 Hz and ± 15 dB of tre- buttons. Two engage the t..co and HI filters minimum reading of our meters even when ble range at 20,000 Hz. Adcom's literature (whose infrasonic and ultrasonic cutoff fre- unweighted. The phono-input noise was points out that the tone -control rollover frequencies exclude extraneous noise rather 0.48 millivolt (mV) unweighted, but it was quencies match those of the RIAA phono than modify the program content). A MUTE less than 100 microvolts with A -weighting equalization curve forbetter control of button drops the gain about 20 dB, and the (-74 dB referred to the standard output phono-playbackresponse.However,the TONE button switches the tone -control cir- level of 0.5 volt). The preamplifier's noise bass turnover of 500 Hz (which is also the cuitry in and out. The LOUDNESS button ac- ratings are -90 dB (high-level) and -87 RIAA turnover frequency)isrealizable tivates the loudness compensation, which dB (phono) with A -weighting; both exceed only at the maximum control setting, which follows the criteria of psychoacoustic re- our measurement capability. we doubt would be used in any reasonably searchers Robinson and Dadson, providing The harmonic distortion was also very good system. less extreme low- and high -frequency boost low (it is rated at 0.015 per cent). At 1,000 The loudness contours showed a bass at low volume levels than the earlier Fletch- Hz it was only 0.0003 per cent (the instru- boost beginning at about 100 Hz and reach- er -Munson curves. ment residual)at 1 volt,increasingto ing a maximum of about +12 dB at volume The MONO button interconnects the two 0.0016 per cent at 10 volts. At the frequen- settings below about -30 dB. The treble signal channels, and the remaining three cy extremes the distortion was slightly high- boost was very moderate, beginning at buttons control the tape functions for either er, typically 0.0015 to 0.003 per cent for 10,000 Hz and reaching only +4 dB at one or two decks: MONITOR connects the outputs of a few volts at 20 and 15,000 Hz 20,000 Hz. The Lo filter, which is supposed playback output of either TAPE Ior TAPE 2 and increasing to 0.003 and 0.008 per cent, to have a I 2 -dB -per -octave slope and a -3 - (as selected by the adjacent button) to the respectively, at 10 volts. The GFP-I can ob- dB response at 20 Hz, was down 8 dB at 20 amplifier circuits, and DUB cross -connects viously be considered, for all practical pur- Hz on our sample, and its -3 -dB frequency the two tape decks (the playback output of poses, distortionless. was 40 Hz. The HI filter had a barely de- each to the recording input of the other) for At maximum gain, the high-level sensi- tectable effect in the audio range ( -2 dB at dubbing tapes in either direction. The GFP- tivity was 31 mV and the phono sensitivity 20,000Hz), but whenitsbutton was Ialso has a front -panel headphone jack. was 0.5 mV for a 0.5 -volt standard output. pressed the overall gain of the preamplifier The rear panel of the GFP- I, in addition The phono preamplifier (a low -noise FET dropped by 2.5 dB. The listening volume to its signal inputs and outputs, has two stage) overloaded at 300 mV at 1,000 Hz, through headphones was excellent even pairs of MAIN OUT jacks and a +48 -volt and the equivalent overload values at 20 with medium- to high -impedance phones. jack for powering other accessories to be and 20,000 Hz were 342 and 262 mV. The made available in the future. The price of phono-input impedance was 47,000 ohms in Comment. Adcom's term "Silent Part- the Adcom GFP-1 is $350. parallel with 75 pF. The RIAA equalization ner" seems wholly appropriate as applied to was accurate within ± 0.25 dB from 20 to the GFP- I. Electrically, this is as quiet as Laboratory Measurements. The maxi- 20,000 Hz and was completely unaffected any preamplifier we have seen (hum and mum rated output voltage of the GFP-1 is a by cartridge inductance. noise are not only inaudible, but are too low sizable 10 volts, and in our tests it handily The tone -control curves had a sliding for convenient measurement). There are no exceeded that rating, clipping at 12.3 volts bass -turnover frequency from less than 100 switching transients, partly because of a output into a standard IHF load of 10,000 to about 500 Hz, and a family of treble- turn -on time delay that mutes the preamplifier outputs with a relay for about 5 seconds after power is applied, allowing the other parts of the system to reach stable operating conditions. The phono preamplifier section of the G FP -1 is about as close to ideal as any we know of from the standpoints of equalization accuracy, freedom from interaction with cartridge inductance, and overload capability, to say nothing of its very low noise levels. The tone controls, whose characteristics are very good, have a large range of adjustment and should be used with discretion (20 dB of bass boost could overtax almost any amplifier or speaker system). Although we have rarely been satisfied with the effects of loudness compensation unless separate control of level and frequency response are provided, we must say that the Adcom system is remarkably unobtrusive. There is little or no evidence that it is in use unless the program contains appreciable low -frequency energy, in which case switching the loudness compensation in and out makes a modest but clearly audible change in the overall program balance. The Adcom GFP-1, like its companion power amplifier the G FA- 1 , is compact and unobtrusive. Itis a "Silent Partner" in a visual sense as well as sonically, doing its job without unnecessary frills or gimmicks. At its modest price, this is one of the better preamplifier values on today's market.

Circle 142 on reader service card ". . . I've had a tough day, Elaine. Just put the ambiance setting on 'suburban living room'." (Continued on page 48)

STEREO REVIEW Warning: The Surgeon Gen3rEl Fa; De:ermined That Cigarette Smokirg Is Darterots n Your Health......

Nikko NR -1000 AM / FM Stereo Receiver

THE Nikko NR -1000 stereo receiver fea- control to the right of the display window. The output at 1,000 Hz clipped at 81 tures digitally synthesized FM and Small rectangular buttons provide TONE -DE- watts per channel into 8 ohms for an IHF AM tuning with six preset "memory" chan- FEAT, SUBSONIC FILTER, STEREO/MONO clipping -headroom rating of 0.96 dB. Into nels for each of those bands. Its audio am- mode, LOUDNESS compensation, TUNING 4- and 2 -ohm loads (for which the receiver plifier is rated to deliver 65 watts per chan- MODE, FM MUTE, FM/AM band selection, is not rated) the respective clipping power nel to 8 -ohm loads from 20 to 20,000 Hz and choice of either an MM (moving -mag- outputs were 82 and 40.5 watts. Using the with no more than 0.03 per cent total har- net) or MC (moving -coil) phono input. tone -burst signal of the IFIT dynamic -head- monic or intermodulation distortion. The program source is selected by press- room test, the output clipped at 1 11 watts Like most digital -synthesis receivers, the ing one of five large rectangular clear -plas- into 8 ohms, 96 watts into 4 ohms, and 51 NR- I 000 uses pushbuttons for its tuning tic buttons aligned vertically at the right of watts into 2 ohms. The IHF dynamic -head- functions, displaying the received frequency the panel. They are marked PHONO, TUNER, room rating (8 ohms) was 2.32 dB. with3/8 -inch -high orange numerals. The AUX, TAPE I, and TAPE 2 and light up in At the rated 65 -watts output (8 ohms) band in use is identified by the orange let- green when engaged. A small knob next to the distortion was less than 0.002 per cent ters AM or FM, with the appropriate "kHz" the balance control cross -connects two tape below 5,000 Hz and was 0.0075 per cent at or "MHz" appearing to the left and right of decks for dubbing in either direction. 20,000 Hz. At half power and one -tenth the numbers. The stations are tuned by a The rear of the NR- 1 000 contains the power the characteristics were similar, with pair of flat elongated buttons below the fre- usual input and output connectors, includ- slightly lower readings. At 1,000 Hz, the quency readout, which cause the receiver to ing small insulated binding posts for the two distortion into 8 ohms was undetectable, be- scan either up or down in frequency when sets of speaker outputs and the antenna in- ing below the "noise floor" at most power they are pressed. put connections. The AM antenna is a small outputs. It was well under 0.001 per cent up A small TUNING MODE button selects ei- loop (not a ferrite rod) whose outputs con- to 70 watts, reaching 0.005 per cent at 80 ther auto or manual tuning. In auto the re- nect to the AM -antenna terminals external- watts output just before clipping occurred. ceiver scans rapidly after a momentary ly. The loop can be removed from the rear The 4 -ohm performance was similar, with touch of a TUNING button, stopping only on of the receiver and mounted nearby for best the distortion being less than 0.0014 per a signal of sufficient strength. In manual reception. One of the two a.c. outlets is cent up to 40 watts and rising to 0.04 per the tuning advances in steps of 200 kHz (a switched. There are also two pairs of phono cent at 75 watts. The 2 -ohm distortion be- channel width) on FM and 10 kHz on AM. jacks marked ADAPTOR (OUT, IN), and they came measurable at 20 watts, where it was In either mode, holding a TUNING button in are joined by removable jumpers. These are 0.0027 per cent, and it rose rapidly from will cause the receiver to scan rapidly and almost equivalent to the pre-out/main-in 0.016 per cent at 30 watts to 0.26 per cent continuously. jacks found on some amplifiers and receiv- at 40 watts. To the left of the frequency readout are ers. However, they are ahead of the volume, The amplifier was stable with reactive several LED displays indicating relative loudness, mono/stereo, and infrasonic -filter loads, although as clipping occurred with 2 - signal strength (with five segments), stereo circuits of the NR -1000, although they ohm loads there was a burst of high -fre- reception, power on, and two groups of au- come after the tone controls and tape-re- quency oscillationvisible on the output dio -power indicators calibrated from 0.03 cording circuits. The ADAPTOR jacks are waveform. The IHF slew factor exceeded to 65 watts for each channel. Below the dis- suitablefor connecting signal -processing 25. The IHF IM distortion, measured with plays are the six preset tuning buttons and a accessories such as equalizers, noise reduc- equal -amplitudesignalsat19,000 and MEMORY button. To store the frequency of ers, and expanders. The Nikko NR -1000 20,000 Hz, was unmeasurable, with no any station, MEMORY and one of the preset receiver, finishedinsilver grey,is 171/4 component greater than -90 dB referred to buttons are touched in succession. A small inches wide,131/2inches deep, and 41/4 rated power output. green LED above each preset button glows inches high; it weighs about 221/2 pounds. The amplifier sensitivity for 1 watt out- when it is in use. Each button can be used to Price: $620. put was 19 millivolts (mV) through the Aux store one FM and one AM frequency. The input and 0.28 mV through the PHONO (MM) large power button completes the horizontal Laboratory Measurements. The cooling input.Nomeasurementsweremade row below the display area. fins for the output transistors are located through the MC input, which has a rated The receiver's other controls are conven- within the cabinet of the receiver, with heat sensitivity ten times higher than the MM tional in appearance and operation. They being removed by air convection through a input and a 100 -ohm input impedance. include two SPEAKER buttons, a phone jack, grille on its top cover. The grille became The noise levels were nearly alike for the bass and treble tone controls (each having very hot during our preconditioning and high- and low-level inputs, measuring -79 eleven detentedpositions), acenter -de - high -power tests, but the exterior was com- to -81 dB (A -weighted) referred to.I watt. tented balance control, and a large volume fortably cool during normal operation. (Continued on page 50)

48 STEREO REVIEW The Onkyo TA -W80 Studio Deck is the most exciting stereo cassette deck available today. It integrates two make quality high speed dubs in half the not ma time

cassette tape decks into a single component, with all without setting levels . . . playback two tapes simulta- the controls to operate them individually, simultaneously.. . or setthem for uninterrupted automatic neously, or in sequence. sequential play. You can even mix your own record-

The Onkyo TA -W80 not only provides incredibly ings. . . mixing a mic input with an external source .. .

pure and exciting record/playback quality .. . it gives or a mic signal with the program from cassette #1. you a capability that even two stand-alone tape decks Little wonder that The Onkyo TA -W80 was cannot provide. selected as "one of the year's most innovative pro-

You can now edit with improved precision .. . ducts" in the Consumer Electronics Design Exhibition.

Onkyo USA Corporation, 42-07 20th Ave., Long Island City, N.Y. 11105. (212) 728-4639.ONKVO 01 1 1 1 1)111 1 I 1 1 I Hill 4. I )1 _ NIKKO NR -1000 4 - AMPLIFIER SECTION NIKKO NR -1000 .005 -REFERENCE POWER I 65W ) .015 AMPLIFIER SECTION - HALF POWER 1-3 DB) N - -LOW POWER (-10 DB)/4":"Ci O..-- 0 I .002 .01,2 170 .1- 1- 0 r- 1 .001 I Z . DISTOIV I.244E MASKEDL 1 1- .0)1 DISTORTIONMASKED t.:.: AT LOWER POWER LEVELS(SEETEXT) (.) FREQUENCIES I I - a (SEE TEXT) I W0005 I Ill .00IS e.... 0. 0

rc IJ .0002 .0012

.0001 .00)1 , 20 50100200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K 20K 0.1 0 2 0 5 1 2 S 10 20 SO 100 FREQUENCY IN HZ (CYCLES PER SECOND) CONTINUOUS SINE WAVE WATTS/CHANNEL

The phono-preamplifier stage overloaded at of 14,000 and 15,000 Hz, showed a 1,000 - was 58 dB at the same level. Alternate - 170 mV at 1,000 Hz, and at the frequency Hz difference -tone component of -56 dB channel and adjacent -channelselectivity extremes of 20 and 20,000 Hz the overload in mono and -62 dB in stereo, referred to readings were 63 and 6 dB. The image re- levels (converted to equivalent 1,000 -Hz 1,000 Hz at 100 per cent modulation. The jection was a good 83 dB. The AM frequen- values) were 185 and 141 mV, respectively. third -ordercomponentsat13,000and cy response was down 6 dB at 90 and 3,700 The MM phono-inputimpedance was 16,000 Hz were 48 and 52 dB below the Hz. 46,000 ohms in parallel with a capacitance modulating -tone levels for mono and stereo. of 135 picofarads. In stereo, there were also a number of spu- Comment. Many of the control features The amplifier tone controls had the typi- rious frequencies in the output (this is typi- of the Nikko NR -1000 are typical of those cal Baxandall frequency response, with the cal of most FM tuners), but none exceeded found on modern digital -synthesis receivers low -frequency turnover shifting between a -60-dB level. in its price range. Unlike some receivers, 100 and 300 Hz as the bass control was var- The stereo -FM frequency response was whose tuner -memory circuits can be kept ied and the treble curves being hinged at flat within ±0.6 dB from 30 to 15,000 Hz. "alive" only while the receiver is plugged 3,000Hz.The loudnesscompensation The low-pass filters that removed multiplex into a powered a.c. socket or with batteries boosted both low and high frequencies at pilot -carrier signals from the audio output installedin the receiver, the NR -1000's low volume settings. The infrasonic -filter were very effective in spite of having no ef- memories function for at least three days response was down 3 dB at 30 Hz and 5 dB fect on the frequency response at 15,000 without power. We also appreciated the at 20 Hz. The RIAA equalization was accu- Hz, since the I9 -kHz leakage was a low adaptor connectors, which make it unneces- rate within ±0.5 dB from 20 to 20,000 Hz. -70 dB. The tuner hum was -67 dB. The sary to usurp one of the tape -monitoring The extreme high -frequency phonore- channel separation was about 38 to 42 dB at circuits for another accessory device. sponse was very slightly affected by car- the frequency extremes of 30 and 15,000 Although the lights above the preset but- tridge inductance, rising about 0.5 dB at Hz and about 45 dB throughout the mid- tons show when one is engaged, they can be 20,000 Hz. range frequencies. seen only over a restricted vertical angle, so The FM -tuner section had a mono usable The muting threshold was factory -set at that the receiver should be installed close to IHF sensitivity of 14.4 dBf (2.9 microvolts, 16.2 dBf (3.5 µV) but is easily adjustable eye level if these lights are to serve any pur- or µV) and a stereo sensitivity of 17.2 dBF with a screwdriver by a rear -mounted con- pose. The brightly lit and highly legible se- (4 µV). Its mono 50 -dB quieting sensitivity trol. The adjustment limits were 10.8 dBf lector buttons more than compensate for was 15.3 dBf (3.2 µV) in mono and 35.5 (1.9 µV) to 62 dBf (700 µV). The stereo - this minor incovenience, since they can be dBF (33 µV) in stereo. At a 65-dBf (1,000- switching threshold varied with the muting read from across the room. The digital fre- µV) input the distortion was 0.28 and 0.19 setting, but it was slightly lower. It was ad- quency readout is highly visible from almost per cent, respectively, for mono and stereo justable from 8.7 dBf (1.5 µV) to 61 dBf any location. modes, with corresponding noise levels of (600 µV) and the setting was 14.4 dBf (2.9 The FM tuner of the NR -1000 can be -69 and -67 dB. The two-tone IHF IM µV) as received. The capture ratio was 1.83 characterized as a good performer. Perhaps distortion measurement, using frequencies dB at 65 dBf input, and the AM rejection because of its true loop antenna, the AM tuner was less plagued by local electrical interference than most tuners, and its upper +10 frequency -response limit of nearly 4,000 Hz almost qualifies it for "hi-fi" status, at least 0 gimpplipmEri compared to the vast majority of AM -tuner BIB 1111111111111111111% AUDIO OUTPUT sections on the market. At any rate, it was j -10 0 09.1 VOLT very listenable. 11110RE oo S (--(F The audio amplifier, in addition to its (.) -20 USABLE SENSITIVITYINS flexibility (two tape -recorder circuits with 2.9µv (MONO) NIKKO NR -1000 0-30moss KIM UM URI USCULUMCU:FM -TUNER SECTION ele OS. dubbing facilities, built-in MC gain and z termination, among other things), has ex- 40EigharrinaUMIMES/U traordinarily low distortion at any normal W :::::60311:111114111 ob.3...... MB THO + NOISE listening level within the audio band. All in

all, the Nikko NR -1000 impressed us as a -50IMMOMMOMMU :111=1=1 Re...7 Lois., E. Pali Niue very competently executed medium -power, MMII .

- 60 50-08 QUIETINGMN - .111:12 full -feature receiver. If it does not boast of 4 3.21.1V (MONO J 33 µV (STEREO) any "new breakthroughs," it is also happily LI 70 free of design flaws that might mar the CC 81211111 pleasure of using it. BO -MONO - - - STEREO - 90IMP Circle 143 on reader service card 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 BO 90 R.F. TEST -SIGNAL INPUT IN DBF (Continued on page 52)

50 STEREO REVIEW Without it,anamplifier simply

isnt good enough for the Purist.

While everyone else was bogged down in minals, all the way to the speaker terminals. SPEEDTM circuitry, which allows the KA-1000 the same old concept, Kenwood's engineers SIGMA DRIVE ties a speaker's behavior to react much faster to dynamic music were busy developing a totally new way to directly to the amplifier's performance, changes. And an ingenious touch -sensor look at amplifier performance. which produces an unprecedented damp- volume control that ing factor in excess of 600 at the speaker increases to any terminals and literally forces a speaker to preset volume level DRIVE behave in perfect sync with the amplifier. OT fades to silence. SIGMA Just as impressive are the other Kenwood Of course, Traditionally,I audio engineers have tended advanced audio technologies which helped there's even more to approach amplifier design from the same pave the way for SIGMA to the KA-1000 than we can possibly men- misconception: that an amplifier and speaker DRIVE. tion in this iimited space. For the complete should function as separate entities; when in For instance, an exclu- story, visit your nearest Kenwood Audio reality they function together. sive non-magnetic chassis. Purist Dealer. And find out for yourself why After years of extensive research, our Dual power supplies, totally anything less simply isn't for the Purist. engineers have solved the problem with separate from the main a radical departure in amplifier design. It's chassis to further minimize magnetic interference. Significant specifications measured at speaker incorporated for the first time in our new terminals 100 watts per channel, mmimum RMS KA-1000 Purist Amplifier. And DC amplification for into 8 ohm: from 20Hz to 20k, -z with less than 0 005% total harmonic distortion. Transient Re- Kenwood's exclusive patented SIGMA crystal clear anal response down to 0Hz. sponse Ri;e Time 0 9 microseconc, Slew Rate DRIVE ignores traditional amplifier -speaker Plus a built-in preamp for moving coil t-120 volts per microsecond ?hone SIN MM cartridges. 93da MC 037c1/3 Special 10 meter speaker relationships by extending the KA-1000's cables inckided negative feedback loop past the output ter- We've also included our famous HI- /lupdo! KENWO011au Not all Kenwood dealers carry these products. For tr a Aucio Purist dealer nearest you, write Kenwood, PO. Box 6213, Carson, CA 90-449. CIRCLE NO. 32 ON READER SERVICE CARD dweltirwriitirils

THE Model ATI55LC heads the new Au- Recommended tracking force is 0.8 to 1.6 The recommended load for the dio-Technica line of "Vector Aligned" grams. The easily replaceable stylus assem- ATI55LC is 47,000 ohms and 100 to 200 stereo cartridges.It has a high -efficiency bly includes a hinged stylus guard. picofarads (pF). Our tests were made with magnetic structure based on the toroidal - There are four less expensive models in a 180-pF load shunting 47,000 ohms. We coil design introduced a couple of years ago the Vector Aligned series; they use the same also checked the frequency response of the in the company's AT24 and AT25 car- coil and magnet structure as the ATI55LC cartridge with several values of capaci- tridges. This "para-toroidal" design elimi- but have different body materials and stylus tance, confirming the manufacturer's rat- nates soldered wires between the coils and and cantileverdesigns. The ATI55LC, ings but also showing that no reasonable the terminal pins (the coil wires themselves which comes with an individually run fre- load capacitance will have a serious effect extend to reach the pins), and the coil cores quency -response curve, is priced at $225. onthecartridge'sperformance. Up to are extended and shaped to serve as pole The ATN155LC replacementstylusis 14,000 Hz, the response changed by no pieces. An integral mu -metal shieldin- $100. more than ± 1 dB with capacitance changes stalled between each channel's coils gives from 180 to 450 pF. It is more important to improved audio separation between the two Laboratory Measurements.The Model use the correct resistance load, since a high- channels in addition to its hum -shielding AT I 55LC was tested in the tone arm of an er terminating resistance results in a sizable properties. Onkyo CP-1130F record player. The low - response peak at about 15,000 Hz. The well-known Audio-Technica dual - mass arm (II grams) and 8.1 -gram car- With the CBS STR 100 test record, the magnet design uses two small rod magnets tridge mass interacted with the cartridge's frequency response of the ATI55LC was mounted just forward of the cantilever pivot highly compliant stylus to resonate at 8.5 within ± 1 dB from 40 to 20.000 Hz. Chan- at right angles to the cantilever and to each Hz. This is near the low end of the optimum nel separation was maintained strongly over other. The reduction of electrical and mag- range of arm -resonance frequencies. (The the full range, although we noted the differ- netic circuit losses in the generating system AT155LC's weight of 8.1 grams, compared ences in left- and right -channel separations of the ATI55LC helps to give it an un- with the 6.5 grams of its sister cartridges inthat are typical of the test record. Since a usually high output voltage for a high -qual- the series, is apparently the result of using a close match between the geometry of the ity cartridge. It is rated at 5 millivolts at a die-cast metal body instead of-presum-cutter and the playback cartridge is impor- 5-cm/sec velocity. The rigid beryllium can- ably-a lighter plastic body. However, no tantfor maximum separation, we also tilever is fitted with a nude -mounted, "lin- difficultieswereexperiencedfromthis checked the cartridge with the AT -6605 ear -contact" square -shank diamond stylus. source.) test record. The separation was 16 to 24 dB at 20,000 and 30,000 Hz and some 27 to 30 dB in the midrange. Its flat response in the audio range encouraged us to measure the ATI55LC with the JVC 1005 test record at higher frequencies. This yielded even more spectacular results, the response being almost identical for the two channels and within ± 1 dB from 1,000 to 40,000 Hz. Midrange channel separation was about 25 dB, and it was 15 dB or better up to the record's limit of 50,000 Hz. Although our preliminary tracking tests showed that the ATI55LC could handle almost any commerciallyreleasedmusic record at a force of Ito 1.2 grams, we preferred to use a I.5 -gram force (itis axio- matic that any cartridge will give its best performance when operated closetoits maximum rated force). At I gram, the ATI55LC tracked the 60 -micrometer level of the German HiFi No. 2 test record, but at 1.5 grams it was able to play the 90 -mi-

". . . No. that's not tape hiss. crometer level, a feat of which few car- that's Emma-she hates Bart6k." tridges are capable. (Continued on page 54)

52 STEREO REVIEW RONRICO RUM PRESENTS THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND SWEEPSTAKES.

WIN A STEREO SYSTEM ON WHEELS:

GRAND PRIZE: 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with T -roof, air-con- SECOND PRIZES: 10 cra,Aum. Soundalong Portable Stereo ditioning and a C/a -AIG.Road -Rated Component Stereo System with Cassette Players. graphic equalizer, amplifier, and Road -Rated Speakers. THIRD PRIZES: 1000 Cassettes of The Mars' -tall Tucker FIRST PRIZES: 5.t AiG. Road -Rated Car Stereos. Band's latest release, "Dedicatee" 80 PROOF GENERAL WINE iS SPIRITS CC N V C OFFICIAL RULES each receive a cassette of The Marshall Tucker Band's latest reease "Dedicated Prizes are non -transferable and non -redeemable Mail to Ronrioo Rum 1. On an official entry farm or an a r5'piece of paper. print your name, address "Manual! Tucker Band" Sweepstakes and zip code Then answer thir 2 Ronrica Rum questions with information found 4. Only one prize per family or household The odds of winn rig will be deter- P.O. Bwx 82022 on the front and back label; of any bottle of Ronrico While or Gold Rum II you dont mined by the number of entries received All prizes will be awarded St. Paul, Minnesota 55182 own abottle.visit your tavorite restaurant or tavern or go to any participating I have read the contest rules and would lux to enter the Ronnco Run "Marshall liquor store and look for the Runic° displry A facsimile of Ronnco Labels may be 5. Tram Am winner agrees to assume responsibility la any additional optional Tucker Band" Sweepstakes. My ansvers are:Mc-sad below (Correct an- obtained by sending a stampec. sell -addressed envelope to PO Box 82010. SI Paul equipment as derined by General Motors, as well as local. stale and federal taxes. s*ers appear on front and/or bad, labels for Fcnrico While or Gold.) Minnesota 55182 No purchase required city and slate licensing and registration lees Trans Am will be made avail- Jamaica able for pickup as near as possible to grand prize winner's some address 1 Ronoto Rum is produced and bottler] it Florida keno Rico 2. Enter as often as you west'but eacn entry must be properly completed. ad- Sweepstakes open to residents of the continental U SA . Alaska and Hawaii 2 How many hearts appear in the upper right hand corner of thecae( of dressed and mailed inn separate ervelope and received by December 31.198110 be Employees and their tanilies of General Wine 8 Spirits Co is affiliated and eligiblePrize winners will be agermined n a witnessed random drawing of entries subsidiary companies, liquor wholesalers and retailers.theiradvertis- arms on the Ronnco Rum Label'?

I certify fiat I am of legal drinkirg rge under the laws of my home gate by SieberMohr. an independent judging organization whose decisions are final ing agencies and judging organizations are not eligible Sweepstakes void All federal, stale and local taws apply 3. The Grand Prize winter willreceive 3 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with where prohibited or resmcsed by law NAME T -roof. air-concitioning and atop of the line Craig Road -Rated Component Stereo 6. Entrants must be of 'egal drinking age under the lam of their home state System, with graphic equalizer amplifier and Road -Rated speakers (Car shown is a ADDRESS 1981 Pontiac Trans Are) The fivefirst prize winners will each receive a Craig 7. A list of major prize winners may be acquired at the conclusion of the STATE ZIP Road -Rated Car StereoThe len second prize winnerswill each receive a Craig sweepstakes by sending a stamped. sell -addressed envelope lc "Roma) Rum CITY Soundalong Portable Stereo Cassette PlayerThe 1000 third prize winners will Marshall Tucker Band' Winners List. PO Box 82029 StPaul. MN 55182 No purchase necessary Void where proMpited or restristal by law D e 5 FAUDIO-TECHNICA AT155LC Au() 0-TECHNICA AT155LC TRACKING FORCE: 15 GRAMS] 0 1=6 5 CC U) LJ-1 04 5 15 .. /""' ,-- I- O 2 WA 0 25 IMIWWA a. -3D ...... III BIM_ig 111. -35 20 50 0 100 500 1K 2K 5K 10K 20K 5 10 15 20 25 30 FREQUENCY IN HZ (CYCLES PER SECOND) PEAK VELOCITY IN CM/SEC OF TEST DISC In the graph at left, the upper curve represents the frequency re- ities provide a severe test of a phono cartridge's performance. The sponse of the cartridge. The distance (measured in decibels) be- intermodulation-distortion (IM) readings for any given cartridge can tween it and the lower curve represents the separation between the vary widely, depending on the particular IM test record used. The two channels (anything above 15 dB is adequate). The inset oscil- actual distortion figure measured is not as important as the maxi- loscope photo shows the cartridge's response to a recorded mum recorded -signal groove velocity that the phono cartridge is 1,000 -Hz square wave, which indicates resonances and overall fre- able to track before a sudden and radical increase in distortion quency response (see text). At right is the cartridge's response to takes place. There are very few commercial phonograph discs that the intermodulation-distortion (IM) and 10.8 -kHz tone -burst test embody musical audio signals whose average recorded groove ve- bands of the TTR-102 and TTR-103 test records. These high veloc- locities are much higher than about 15 centimeters per second.

The tracking distortion, measured with showed a single sharp overshoot, but other- find that it was as silky smooth and "for- Shure TTR-102 and TTR-103 test records, wise there was no significant ringing or oth- gettable" when playing music as its meas- was low. The IM distortion hardly changed er shape alteration. urements would suggest. We would have over the full range of the test bands on the difficulty describing the "sound" of the car- TTR-102, from 1.5 per cent at 7 cm/sec to Comment. Subjective tracking tests of tridge, since it contributes so little of itself 3.2 per cent at 27 cm/sec. The former read- the AT I 55LC, using Shure's "Audio Ob- to the final sonic quality. Good records of- ing is close to the residual distortion on the stacle Course" records, were consistent with ten sound superb when played with the record, and the latter shows that the car- our measurements. The cartridge was able ATI55LC, and records with sonic deficien- tridge is not close to mistracking, or even to play every level of every band on both cies are immediately recognizable fur what distorting significantly, at a level far above records without audible mistracking,al- theyare.Previous Audio-Technica car- that likely to be found on music records. though there was a trace of "hardness" on tridges we have used have been uniformly The cartridge output was 4.85 millivolts the highest level of the bells section in the excellent, and the ATI55LC continues in at a 3.54-cm/sec velocity and the channel Shure ERA IV test record (a sign of incipi- that tradition.Ina growing competitive levels were matched within 0.36 dB. The ent mistracking). field of very fine cartridges, it manages to measured vertical -tracking angle was 20 Clearly, the Audio-Technica AT I 55LC more than hold its own. degrees. The responsetothe1,000 -Hz excels in just about every area of cartridge square wave on the CBS STR 112 record performance, and it came as no surprise to Circle l44 on reader service card

We 6 -New 1981 Repertoire STEREO REVIEW again presents the annual revision of the Basic Repertoire. In pamphlet form, the 1981 updating includes disc and tape recommendations for over 180 standard musical works. Foryour copy, send $1 in cash, plus a stamped (200), self- addressed No. 10 envelope (91/2 x 4V8 in.), to Esther Maldonado, STEREO REVIEW, 1Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016.

54 STEREO REVIEW SupeeCompo. eautifully matched by Sansui. Untnatched,byanyoneelse. Listening to music is best with a com- has a Super Compo system that's perfect ponent system. But while listening may be for you. All components come reacy to a pleasure, choosing the components can hook up and install in their attractive rack- be frustrating and downright intimidating. styls furniture. Now Sansui makes,choosing your system So if you want the ultimate in a matched a pleasure, too. By taking away the music system without the hard choices, guesswork: look to Sansui's six Super Compo systems Designed entire! i by Sansui, whose with optional remote control - shown above.* history spans the histo-y of ii fi, Super They're matched for you. Unmatched by Compo components zre matched for spec- anyone else. At your local Sansui dealer. ifications, features Erd functions by audio experts who care as raucl about music as SANSUI ELECTRONICS CORP. you do. Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071

Whether yob prefer -ecords or tapes, Gardena, CA 90248 your favorite FM or ICA station, or even Sansui Electric Co., Ltd.,Tokyo, Japan making your own tape recordings, Sansui * The RS -7 Remote Contro, is available for most Soper C3mpc systems. CIRCLE NO. 43 ON READER SERVICE COD Warring: The Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to Your Health.

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dif"116.-

8 mg. "tar, 0.B mg. nicotine ay. per cigarette by FTC method. R J RERNOLDI TOBACCO COMPANY 41941%. ale.

24V "r " 74 4411siiijoilot. h ' ;410106,. :111$6

Camel Lights. Low tar. Camel taste. "It is hardly conceivable that a small, inexpensive, Goingon Record lightweight cube such as ByJames this could deliver as much clean power as any Goodfriend but a few of the largest conventional amplifiers on the market- but it does!"Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Lobs

THE JAZZ TINGE

CARVER 1AZZ is an American musical phenomenon (nor even the European ballet tradition- U-400 of the twentieth century. It is a difficult the setting is African) but into the anti -tra- music to define because it involves not only ditionalist, polytonal "modern music" of a repertoire of specific pieces and harmonic, which Milhaud was a champion. melodic, and rhythmic usages, but also a But there are other works one should look way of playing: a style, a feel, and, at the into. Stravinsky, like Milhaud, encountered center, the idea of improvisation. Jazz has jazz quite early and made some use of it. It had a definite influence upon classical mu- was not until 1945, however, that he wrote sic in this century, but that influence has his "jazz piece," the Ebony Concerto, and, been felt mostly through its repertoire of as might be expected, his approach was in- musical devices and not its improvisatory dividual: a classical piece written for jazz nature. So far, every work that has at- orchestra (specifically for clarinetist The Carver M-400 tempted to combine the improvisatory as- Woody Herman and his orchestra). The Magnetic Field Amplifier pects of jazz with music deriving from the style of the music is essentially Stravinskian European classical tradition has failed as neo-Classical, the jazz inflections added by The cube that impressed Julian Hirsch completely as attempts to mix oil and water. the natural playing style of the musicians is indeed small: less than 7 inches. The work either becomes jazz (as in Duke for whom it was written. As the work pro- And it is very light: less than 10 Ellington's more ambitious compositions) ceeds, certain jazz -derived ideas become pounds. And very inexpensive: sug- or it separates into its two immiscible com- noticeable, but they are wholly assimilated gested retail price, $399. ponents and falls apart stylistically. into the style. On the other hand, observant and inven- As for its clean power: 201 watts per Gershwin's Three Preludes for piano are tive composers have delved into such sub- perhaps his most direct translation of jazz channel in stereo and 500 watts mono! stantive matters as the blues scale and form, ideas into a classical score, and the second That, of course, is RMS into 8 ohms, jazz syncopation and instrumental tech- one in particular has come to be seen as the from 20 to 20kHz with no more than niques, the expressive flatting of notes, and archetype of the whole idea. But Aaron 0.05% total harmonic distortion. other elements of the jazz repertoire. Since Copland wrote a set of four Piano Blues As for its sound, Leonard Feldman composers have been dealing with elements which almost rival the Gershwin Preludes reported in Audio: "Music reproduction and techniques rather than simply with in appeal. No one could ever mistake them was superb and completely free of any tunes, the music produced has been consid-for jazz, but no one could fail to miss the false bass coloration or muddiness... erably more sophisticated than most prod- jazz in them. ucts of folk -song adaptation (Bart6k, Koda- none of that brittle quality that one ly, and Jani4ek excepted). MEVER KUPFER MAN'S Sonata on Jazz often detects from amplifiers that are It should be pointed out that all experi- Elements is piano music on a considerably beginning to strain." mentations with jazz by classical composers larger scale. It is a muscular piece of real In short, the M-400 is musical and were preceded by similar experimentations power, brilliantly played by Morton Estrin accurate. with ragtime elements by Debussy, Ives, on a record still, luckily, in the catalog (Ser- And now here's good news for every- Stravinsky, and others. Moreover, the first enus 12001). Kupferman is an eclectic com- one with a receiver. The M-400 can be important and successfulclassical workposer, but jazz has played a large part in added to it easily-with our new Z-1 based on jazz was not the work of an Amer- many of his works and he handles its tech- ican at all, but of a Frenchman, Darius Mil- coupler. So if you now have a 20 -watt niques and their transformation into a clas- haud, whose ballet La Creation du Monde receiver, it can be a 201 -watt (per sical language with rare assurance. had its premiere in Paris in 1923, the year Milton Babbitt's All Set is a startling but channel) receiver! before the "Experiment in Modern Music" eminently successful and communicative For literature, test reports and near- concert by Paul Whiteman in New York piece written with jazz -based musical mate- est Carver dealer, circle number below. which introduced George Gershwin's Rhap- rials for jazz ensemble. It sounds quite jazz - For faster response, write directly to us. sody in Blue. like and seems to bears no relation to most Comparison of the two works is fascinat- of Babbitt's other work, but itis quite in ing. Gershwin's makes its points through line with his most uncompromisingly "con- the abrupt contrast of its jazz elements with trolled" serial music; every element of the the Romantic concerto style-keyboard vir- piecefollowsitspredetermined "set"- CARVERCORPORATION tuosity and sweeping Romantic melody.hence the pun of the title.Itis an object Milhaud's piece integrates its jazz elementslesson in something, but just what that may P.O. Box 664, 14304 N.E. 193rd Place not into the European orchestral traditionbe posterity will have to tell us. 0 Woodinville, Washington 98072 CIRCLE NO. 10 ON READER SERVICE CARD 58 STEREO REVIEW 111111111111111111111111111111111,

1U 2 30 co 4 4 3' G 503 IHNUOMOVVIIMHOHNH

0111111k

411111101.11111011111111.11MIP,

Only one tape deck combines the incredible realism of dbx with the precise sound of direct drive. Technics RS-M270X.

Dynamic range has long been the quest of audio purists recording made on the RS -1'0270X will sound 5C percent because it represents a major difference between live and more dynamic than the same recording made on reproduced sound. And perhaps nothing says dynamic conventional deck. range better than dbx. Of course, dbx also doubles as a noise redUction Rotational stability is something else audio purists system. Yet, unlike conventional systems, dbx reduces noise have longed for in a tape transport system, and virtually at all frequencies, not just the high ones. And with nothing says that better than Technics direct drive. the RS-M270X, you can eves decode dbx Ercoced Discs. After all, the majority of the top radio stations that use The RS-M270X also features solenoid controls, turntables rely on Technics direct drive. SX sendust heads and fluorescent VU meters. Listen to the RS-M270X. You'll hear the expansive Listen to Technics RS-M270X. You'll agree you've never distinction between loud and soft tones. In fact, a heard so much dynamic range, so precisely61:4====4 Technics CIRCLE NO. SS ON REAMER SERVICE CARO The science of sound HEConsumer Electronics Show them all in the individual component in Chicago this June was seen by reports that follow. many attendees as a harbinger Given the sheer number of new prod- of better times to come. Manufacturers ucts and the difficulty of keeping track who came to sell their audio products of who introduced what, and when, were encouraged bytheincreasing some worthy products have doubtless :AUDA numbers of dealers who came to buy, escaped the notice of our reporters. and although the wheeling and dealing These will be picked up in "New Prod- at the show perhaps didn't reach the ucts" columns in the months to come. level of three or four years ago, there And since our reporters were instructed TEPRE__ji was nonetheless considerable cause for to concentrate on the really new, those optimism. products that have been around for six ... Aside from the business aspects of months or so are probably not covered a preview the show-the CES is,after all,a here. trade show-there appeared some in- We can't provide further informa- novative designs based on conventional tion about the products mentioned, but for buyers solid-state technology, and there was we will be pleased to supply the ad- also hard evidence that manufacturers dresses of their manufacturers: send a are finally beginning to grasp the novel stamped, self-addressed long envelope technical opportunities provided by toSTEREO REVIEW,Dept. CES, One microprocessors.You'll read about Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016. THE general atmosphere of optimism that headroom -extension system and boasts re- lations; other types will likely be added by pervaded the summer CES this year sponse to 12,000 Hz with metal tape, along the time this report appears. was shared by exhibitors in the tape field. with a 0.07 per cent wow/flutter figure. JVC has developed two new high -output There were large numbers of new products Still on the tape scene, two long-estab- metal -particle cassettes-ME and ME-P- (far too many even to catalog) and an ap- lishedindustry giants-Philips and Du- which were formally introduced at CES parent willingness to risk the introduction Pont-announced theformationof PD (though previously shown to the press). of untried new formats. Magnetics, a cooperative venture that will And, perhaps reflecting the trend toward A striking illustration of this more ven- produce metal (from Philips), CrO, (from "one -brand consciousness," Hitachi, Pana- turesome spirit is the four -company (Max - DuPont), and high-grade ferric -oxide cas- sonic, Marantz, Pioneer, and Kenwood will ell, TDK, Akai, Teac) cooperative venture settes for sale here. Initial marketing plans all be marketing full lines of cassettes under that introduced new "EE" (Extra Efficiency) disclosed by company spokesmen are keyed their own brand names. open -reel tapes and decks. The new tape Among the more unusual new cassette formulations are open -reel versions of TDK decks was the dual -well Onkyo TA -W80 SA and Maxell XL -II and require some 30 ($370), which, in addition to playing one per cent higher bias than normal, somewhat cassette after the other, will dub tapes at less treble boost during recording, and a r double speed. From Bang & Olufsen came changed playback equalization (from 90 to the distinctivelystyled Beocord8002 50 microseconds at 33/4 ips, and from 50 to ($1,100) with real-time digital readout and 35 microseconds for 71/2 ips). The advan- tape access; it also features an advanced tages claimed are considerable, however: an version i:HX Professional) of the Dolby increase in high -frequency headroom of 3 headroom -extension system that has also dB and a lowering of bias noise by a similar been licensed for commercial recording. amount. In all, the intent is to make performance at 33/4 ips equal to the best now CLEARLY. the battle of the advanced achievable at 71/2. The hope is that the long noise -reduction systems (principally dbx uninterrupted playing times (up to three and Dolby -C) has been joined in earnest. hours each way with a I01/2 -inch reel at 33/4 Dolby claimed some thirty-four new "C" - ips), the ease of editing, and the quality rep- Luz machine introductions at the show. The dbx utation of open -reel will revive open -reel score was less impressive, but dbx predicts popularity in the U.S.(ithas remained :1 that their new integrated -circuit chip will higher in Japan and Europe than it has in IIN NOM NEI III help ever, things up by the time of the win- this country). BASF also announced at the ter show. Both dbx and Dolby -C provide a show that it, too, will produce an EE open - far lower background -noise level than the reel tape, using Cr02. TAPE 1111D almost universal Dolby -B, which cuts down With few exceptions, existing audiophile tape hiss by 8 to 10 dB. Dolby -C essentially decks are not equipped to produce the high doubles this figure, while the dbx approach bias currents or to switch to the new equal- TI1PE DECKS goes even further by employing a 2:1 com- izations for EE tapes, but both Akai and pression/expansion system that can theo- Teac introduced models that will, and other retically turn a 45 -dB signal-to-noise ratio manufacturers are expected to follow suit. 90 dB. A more detailed explanation of Akai's offerings in this area are the GX-747 each system is planned for a future issue, ($1,250), which takesreels up to101/2 but for now it should be noted that Dolby- inches, and the smaller GX-77 ($775), both B-or its ANRS equivalent in many JVC featuring auto reverse and electronic digital decks-is normally included in both the counters with real-time readout. Dolby -C and dbx decks as a switchable op- From Teac the EE -equipped decks are tion, allowing for playback of previously re- the top -of -the -line 101/2 -inch X -20R corded cassettes. ($1,400), which also features a built-in dbx Two of the five new offerings from Tech- noise -reduction system, and the more mod- nics, the RS-M270X ($500) and RS -240X estly priced X -3R. Again, both Teac decks ($350), incorporate dbx, as do four new are auto -reversing, reinforcing the empha- Teac decks, ranging from the $690 C-3RX sis on long playing time that EE tape facil- to the $410 V-5RX. A new head material- itates. If the new system catches on, other cobalt amorphous-saidtohavebetter open -reel manufacturers will quickly fol- overall magnetic and wear properties than low. Indeed, Tandberg's 20A has already the more commonly used permalloy, ferrite, been designed with ample bias reserve and A report by or Sendust,isincorporatedin the dbx- was demonstrated with a somewhat similar equipped Teac V-3RX ($470). Nikko offers switch -selectable equalization. Revox, too, Craig Stark dbxintheattractivelypriced ND -700 reports that there would be no problem in ($320), one of four new models that range including EE settings inits B-77 should from the ND -1000 ($650, with computer- there be sufficient interest. J ized tape bias setting) to the economical ND -500 b$250). And for those who want to AT the opposite end of the size range compare the relative merits of dbx and Dol- there seem to be some initial moves toward by -C noise reduction, Onkyo introduced its making the microcassette into a serious hi-fi to videotape distributors, subject to the new new TA -2090, priced at $750, which in- medium. Of course, the "personal head- firm's developing more experience in the cludes them both. phone portables" designed for beach, bicy- American consumer audio market. Dolby -C is to be found in all six of the cle, and jogging path are quite listenable, Smaller in size, but enthusiastically dedi- new Pioneer decks, which range from the but most of these employ regular 17/s-ips cated to the premium -quality audio market, deluxe three -head, three -motor CT -9R with cassettes. A few now even feature metal - is the new Loran cassette line employing its real-time digital countdown and auto- tape playback capability, but the advantage specially developed Lexan (instead of the matic bias/sensitivity/equalization adjust- of metal really comes through at 1s/i6 ips. usual polystyrene) shells that retain their ments (about $700) to the more modest Both TDK and Maxell introduced metal - dimensional integrity even when "cooked" CT -4 (about $200). No less than seven new tape microcassettes. In addition to a num- in the broiling temperatures encountered in or updated Nakamichi decks, from the ber of portables, Fisher now has a metal - a closed automobile left in the summer sun. $595 two -head 4802 to the $1,800 682ZX, ready microcassette deck, the CRM500 The first two Loran cassettes announced incorporate the new system. And a separate ($479.95), which includes the Dolby HX are dual -coated ferric and high -bias formu- NR -100 Dolby -C type processor ($230) is

SEPTEMBER 1981 61 available for the newly introduced Nakami- additions (Models 688DM and 588DM) of 15/16-ips hi-fi microcassettes), which will chi 700ZXE and 700ZXL ($2,400 and also featureit,as do the NAD 6150C doublesignal -holdingcapability (over $3,000) models, as well as for the $3,800 (S469), the Denon DR -330C ($540), and metal tape) once again. I000ZXL. three new Aiwa models (AD -3500U, AD- Among cassette decks, the Vector Re- The top deck (DD -9, $900) in the new 3200U, and the slim -line AD -3300). search VCX-800 ($1000) contained no less six -model JVC line features Dolby -C, along Both the Kenwood KX- 1000 (S595) and than four Dolby systems (B, C, HX, and with the company's computerized B.E.S.T. the Aiwa AD -3600U incorporate the Dolby FM), computer -adjusted tape parameters tape -matching facilities, three heads, and HX system to increase treble capacity, and using swept instead of fixed tones, a real- an elapsed -time digital counter. In addition new offerings from Sansui, Hitachi, Toshi- timedigitalplaying -timereadoutthat to two speeds, three heads, and six (!) tape - ba, and others also had legitimate points ofwould even distinguish between various equalization positions, the new top -of -the - interest. tape lengths automatically, and every other line Dual 844 also goes with Dolby -C. While it's impossible even to list every- "bell and whistle" imaginable. Sony's two best, the TC-FX6C (with real- thing that's exciting at a good CES-such And finally, on the digital scene, a $2,000 time digital counter) and the TC-FX5C, in- as this one was --I was struck by three in- prototype Alpine deck usingI/4 -inch -tape corporate the Dolby -C system. Marantz put troductions in particular. Matsushita's cassettes and usable either for digital audio Dolby -C in the middle of its new, gold -fin- high-technologyexhibitionshowedtheir or for color videotaping caught both my ear ished five -deck series (the SD 3030, $395), vacuum -deposited -coating metal -tape tech- and my eye as a portent of things to come in and the top two of the five new H. H. Scott nology (only video, but it is also the future both these fields.

.44:j1L, JIng

1T7----17 c or Siat411111TtIrl 110.11.1...11.m. --...... Aiwa AD -3500 Kenwood KRX-5 Sony TC-FX6C cassette deck cassette / receiver cassette deck SA pyg.hon

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Optonica RT-6605 dual cassette deck Akai GX-77 TDK Super Avilyn open -reel deck open -reel tape

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Sansui D- 150M Technics RS-M270X Bang & Olufsen Beocord 8002 cassette deck cassette deck cassette deck

Dual C 844 Sanyo Plus D56 Vector Research VCX-800 cassette deck cassette deck cassette deck

JVC KD-D4 H. H. Scott 658DM Yamaha K-960 cassette deck cassette deck cassette deck

62 STEREO REVIEW "casceiver" is covered on page 76, so in this tures its heritage with a return to all -gold section we will focus on conventional tuner - styling, and that extends even to the use of r amplifier receivers, which are making a ma- gold-plated input and output jacks which jor comeback this year with the introduc- are immune to the long-term oxidation that tion of complete new lines by five manufac- can occur with tin plating. The SR-8100DC turers (Pioneer, Yamaha, Marantz, Sher- (rated at 90 W/ch into 4 ohms, about 20 wood, and Sony) plus assorted new models per cent less into 8 ohms, and featuring a from a dozen other suppliers. built in five -band graphic equalizer-price Pioneer's four new receivers embody a $750) and the SR-7100DC (63 W/ch into 4 f:ZI:11111:130131 striking departure in styling and functional ohms and about 50 W/ch into 8 ohms, control layout, with input selection accom- $600) include digital -synthesis tuning with II 110) plished via digital circuitry instead of me- eight station presets each for FM and AM chanical switches and with digital frequen- plus a digital clock/timer for programmed cy -synthesis tuning in all models. The SX-4 operation. (20 W/ch, $250) and SX-5 (30 W/ch) Sherwood's widely respected Series 7000 RECEIVERS have six tuning presets each for FM and stereo receivers are being replaced by a new AM. The SX-6 (45 W/ch, $425) and SX-7 9000 series of five models. The top four, (60 W/ch, $550) have eight presets, provi- from the S-9600CP (60 W/ch, $480) down AMPLIFIERS sion for inserting plastic labels to identify to the S-9200CP (20 W/ch, $250), include station frequencies or call letters, a thirty- analog tuning with servo -lock fine tuning TIMERS two -step all -electronic volume control (in- and digital frequency display; all five, instead of a rotary potentiometer) whose set- cluding the S-9180CP (18 W/ch, $220), ting is displayed numerically, "nonswitch- featurediscrete -transistorphono-preamp ing" dynamic -bias output circuits for ultra - circuits, infrasonic and ultrasonic filtering, low distortion, and an "ion -implantation and an FM signal-to-noise ratio specified as double -diffusion MOSFET" tunerfront 75 dB in stereo and 80 dB in mono. The top end for improved immunity to strong -sta- three models feature a bass -equalizer cir- tion overload. cuit that boosts the bottom octave, which Yamaha is replacing its receiver line with droops it most loudspeaker systems. six new models. While most manufacturers Sony has filled out its new line of six VX are limiting their receivers to a maximum low -profile receivers with power ratings in power rating of 70 watts or so, Yamaha's I -dB increments from 22 to 70 W/ch and new line includes two high-powered units prices ranging from $225 for the VX- Ito rated at 150 W/ch (R-2000, $900) and 100 $700 for the VX-6. The top three models W/ch (R-1000, $700), both employing the feature digital -synthesis tuning with eight very efficient "X" circuitry in which the presets, a "non-volatile" memory that re- power -supply output tracks the signal level. tains the station frequencies with the power These receivers, together with the R-900 cord unplugged, and provision for labeling (70 W/ch, $550) and R-700 (50 W/ch, each preset with the station's frequency. A report by $450, reviewed in the July 1981 issue), fea- The VX-5 and VX-6 include ultrasonic - ture digital frequency -synthesis tuning and switching power supplies, resulting in a net Peter Mitchell a Spatial Expander circuit that manipulates weightbarelygreaterthanthatofa the "difference" component of the stereo preamp, and Sony's "direct comparator" signal to broaden the stereo image. At the circuit (first seen in the ST -J75 FM tuner economy end of the range, the R-500 (40 last winter) for a measured S/N of about W/ch, $330) and R-300 (30 W/ch, $260) 80 dB in stereo and 85 dB in mono. The top include Yamaha's effective loudness -com- four receivers in the new Sony line carry the Receivers pensation control. "Legato Linear" trademark, referring to Despite the influx of "mini" and "single - In its four new receivers Marantz recap- the elimination of ultrasonic crossover dis- brand" rack systems into the hi-fi market- place, the stereo receiver remains the best value in audio today. A receiver usually offers a performance level practically identical to that of equivalent separate tuners and integrated amplifiers at a substantial reduction in cost thanks to the elimination of a second metal chassis, a second power supply, a second shipping carton, and so forth. Some manufacturers are now taking this consolidation a step further with the inclusion of a cassette deck in the same chassis. Kenwood's KRX-5 cassette -receiver, for example, includesa 30-W/ch (watts per channel) amplifier (with slider volume and tone controls) and an analog AM/FM tuner, both with respectablehi-fispecifica- tions, plus a Dolby -B cassette deck with microprocessor control for automated selection of favorite selections in playback, all for a suggested retail price of 5500. Of course the central virtue of the "casceiver" (also spelled "casseiver" and "cassceiver") is that it provides an easy entry into fairly high -quality audio for the newcomer. Most

cassette -receivers, in fact, are to be mar- ". . . Frankly. Dr. Gertzner, the board feels that this obsession of yours keted as part of a complete one -brand sys- to achieve 0.0008 per cent distortion-I beg your pardon -0.000000008 tem, like minis and racks. The subject of the per cent distortion in our receiver line . . ."

63 SEPTEMBER 1981 tortion (accomplished by using "ring -emit- 82 dB or better in mono. And Toshiba, the ter" output transistors that consist, in ef- first manufacturer to market a digital -syn- Integrated Amplifiers fect, of numerous small wide -bandwidth thesis receiver several years ago, introduced Of the many new integrated amplifiers transistors connected in parallel to avoid the itsthird -generation model, the SA -S55 coming to market this year, nearly half are speed limitations of conventional large pow- ($400), with six presets each for AM and to be sold only as part of single -brand pack- er transistors). FM and dual sets of varicap tuning diodes aged systems, so we won't discuss them in- The newest receiver from Vector Re- for improved performance in the areas of dividually here. Of the amplifiers that will search, the VRX-9500 (90 W/ch, $I,000), selectivity and image rejection. be marketed separately and are destined to featuresbuilt-indbxIIcircuitrywith H. H. Scott's line of analog -tuned receiv- succeed or fail on their own merits, many switching not only for playing dbx-encoded ers includes two new models, the 385R (85 have obvious "family"relationships(in discs but also for recording and playing W/ch, $600) and the 375R (65 W/ch, terms of styling and technical features) dbx-encoded tapes with any tape deck. Oth- $460), both with digital display of the tuned with the receivers described above. er features include bass, midrange, and tre- frequency, servo -lock fine tuning, and in- For instance, Pioneer's five new inte- ble controls whose operating frequencies puts for moving -coil as well as moving -mag- grated amplifiers share the same basic styl- are adjustable over a broad range, a digital - net cartridges. Technics has added two low - ing as their new receivers and cassette synthesis tuner, and a programmable digi- profile models, just 31/2 inches high, with decks, with the primary operating controls tal timer. Optonica's new introductions in- slide -rule tuning: the SA -203 (30 W/ch, (consisting of large knobs and pushbuttons) clude two digital -synthesis receivers with $260) and SA -103 (20 W/ch, $200). Tech- located in the right-hand third of the front black -face styling, gold trim, and five sta- nics'full-size,top -of -the -line100-W/ch panel and the secondary controls (smaller tion presets each for FM and AM: the SA - SA -828 receiver ($875) includes a "Dimen- knobs and buttons) generally concealed un- 5407 (60 W/ch, $500) and the SA -5207 sion Control" circuit for enhancing the spa- der a panel at the left. The central one-third (40 W/ch, $400). tial ambiance and stereo -image breadth. is devoted to illuminated meters and LEDs Akai also has two new digital -synthesis Mitsubishi introduced four new receiversillustrating signal paths and selected func- receivers with six presets for each band: the ranging from 30 to 80 W/ch, with prices tions. They use dynamic -bias output cir- AA -R51 (62 W/ch, $550) and the AA -R41 from $325 to $690; the top three models cuits and ring -emitter power transistors. (50 W/ch, $500). JVC's low -profile receiv- have digital -synthesis tuning, while the top Moving -coil (MC) pre-preamps are found ers include two new models, the R -2X with two have moving -coil phono inputs. And in all but the least expensive model, and the digital -synthesis tuning (40 W/ch, $330) Hitachi's array of new products includes top two models have selectable cartridge and the R -1X with servo -locked analog tun- two receivers, the HTA 4000 (35 W/ch, loading. The Pioneer integrated amps vary ing (25 W/ch, $240); both specify an FM $360) and the HTA 5000 (45 W/ch, $420) in rated power output from 35 W/ch (Mod- signal-to-noise ratio of 75 dB in stereo and with digital tuning. el A-5, $200) up to 110 W/ch (Model A-9, $800). The A-8 (90 W/ph, $550) was reviewed in the July issue. Onkyo's parade of new products this year includes three integrated amplifiers, the A- 35, A-45, and A-65, with power ratings from 55 to 100 W/ch and prices from $330 to $650. Each has an MC phono input and Wirer0079711'77171111111111111Wwww. separate input and recording selectors. Nik- ko has two new integrated amps, the NA - --- 500 (40 W/ch, $250) and the NA -700 (60 W/ch, $300), with an MC input in the lat- Akai AA -R51 Technics SA -103 ter model. Akai's line now includes three integrated amps: the AM-UO3 (37 W/ch, $280), the AM -U04 (48 W/ch, $330), and the AM -U06 (68 W/ch, $400), with an MC phono input in the top model and a "heat -pipe" cooling system in the top two models. The heat pipe allows the output transistors to be located on the main circuit board while liquid coolant transfers their heat out to external fins. JVC R -1X Toshiba SA -S55 Optonica and H. H. Scott are marketing integrated amplifiersthat may be pur- chased separately or as part of one -brand packaged systems. The Optonica SM-3300 amp is rated at 20 W/ch and priced at $200. Scott has four "Slimline" amplifiers ranging from 30 to 65 W/ch and from $160 to $350, with an MC input in the top model. Hitachihas two new low -profile amps which stand just three inches high: the HA - Optonica SA -5407 Vector Research VRX-9500 3800 (35 W/ch, $220) and HA -2700 (25 W/ch, $180). And Denon's new integrated amplifier is anything but small, featuring an 80-W/ch "pure class -A" circuit with MC phono inputs, separate input and recording selectors, and a headphone ampli- fierwithadjustable impedance.Unlike most of today's amplifiers, the $995 Denon PMA-950 also carries a formal 4 -ohm pow- -nor 1..r1nr1 0. r, r, er rating -100 W/ch. Technics has a line of four new inte- Pioneer SX-7 Yamaha R-2000 grated amplifiers, all with separate input and recording selectors and all featuring "new class -A" dynamic -bias output circuits for minimum crossover distortion. The new

6-1 STEREO REVIEW dbx has been silent too long.

70 4/8 I dbx. Inc

No Noise Reduction

art i4DX

-10- 50 100 500 1K 5K 10K 20K 20 200 2K Frequency (Hz)

Noise from biased Chromium Dioxide cassette tape, comparing Dolby and dbxnoise reduction systems. One third octave analysis. Tape noise level referenced to 200 nWb/m =110dB SPL.

For years Dolby' has been try- Simply this. When you push There's more to this story, too. Listen to the new tape decks with dbx. Or hear what a dbx ing to reduce tape noise. the Dolby C button, tape noise With the dbx tape noise reduc- Model 222 or 224 can do for your First came Dolby B. Then decreases. When you push the tion system, you're aiso equipped Dolby HX. Now there's Dolby C. dbx button, tape noise disappears. to play the widely acclaimed existing system. At dbx, we think it's time to set (You can perform this test your- dbx Discs, the world's only Full At dbx, we've been silent too the record straight. You see, self using any blank cassette tape.)Dynamic Range Records - and long. The fact is, Dolby just reduces we've never tried to reduce tape The dbx system reduces tape the first discs that eliminate noise. We've never had to. noise so effectively, that it's be- record surface noise. noise. Because from the beginning, neath the noise floor of even the In addition, when digital play- dbx eliminates it. dbx has done what Dolby keeps quietest living rooms. Unlike back technology finally arrives, trying to do: eliminate tape noise. Dolby C, dbx i5 effective in more dbx is the only system that will Just compare Dolby's latest than just the mid -range. It oper- faithfully reproduce that sound attempt with dbx. ates across the entire frequency on tape. You'll even be able fo Where Dolby C reaches a max- spectrum. There's no low -fre- hear the sound of digital in your imum noise reduction of 20 dB, quency noise. No high -frequency car, because we've developed a dbx reaches 50 dB. In a CCIR- noise. No noise, period. dbx decoding system for car weighted noise measurement No wonder Technics, Onkyo, stereo. analysis, Dolby C manages only Yamaha, TEAC and others have So before you rush out to buy 18 dB, while dbx achieves 55 dB. designed their newest generation a tape deck with Dolby C, we What do these numbers actu- of tape decks with dbx. have a suggestion. ally mean? dbx db, is. registered trademark of db.. Inc Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories. Inc

dbx, Incorporated, 71 Chapel Street, Newton, Mass. 02195U.S.A. Tel. (617) 964-3210. Telex 92-2522. Distributed throughout Canada by BSR (Canada) Ltd., Rexdale,Ontario. CIRCLE NO. 17 ON READER SERVICE CARD Imagination has

New Fuji tapes: Born \goal,attained. - so:a* p Audiocassettes of uch mae smaller,ore uni- r markable a)ccuracy forly than ev r before. clity that differences be- Per anentlyated to po tw en origina and recording me film so pcise, its virt ally vanis. su ace is mi iror smoot This -is th sound of Th product If intensiv thetilt ur. widest possible d ch mistry,omputer ech- namic ra ge. The no ogy and sychoac austics. attest f equency- The s und of t e fu- esponsobtain- tu e. Hear it at your audio able. And ree- Ia er too ;y.n fo r super dom from to es tha sharesingle noise and n. me.

CASSETTES Imagination has just become reality.

asaressmarawmairamorAftwir...... 0111.11~. 1111111011....

4111MMIMPaiimir ...II

111111111M11111. '41 Agri 0 1981 7 Al Photo Film U S Arm., Ma ;flu" 11011blii PANIFAIAIWAII_ Power Amps, Preamps The vacuum -tube preamps and power amplifiers from Audio Research have a wide following among audiophiles despite their high cost, and the latest version of the 6 6 company's preamp isthe SP -6C,with - 0®11111111111211MMI "long -Ile industrial reference" tubes and Aiwa AA -8500 Technics SU-V9 elaborately regulated power -supply circuits, integrated amplifier integrated amplifier for $2,195. The SP -8 is now available with similar circuitry and features-but with standard tubes and a simplified automatic - muting circuit-for $1,495. For just one tenth of that price ($148) NAD has a discrete solid-state preamplifier, the Model 1020, whose features include a very quiet phono preamp with selectable input capaci- = _ tance, effective infrasonic filtering, and a high -output headphone amplifier. Basical- ly, the 1020 is the preamp/control section Denon PMA-950 SAE A201 of the NAD 3020 integrated amplifier. preamplifier power amplifier SAE's new P101 preamp uses logic circuitry for all control functions, so the audio signaldoesn'tpass through mechanical switches and potentiometers. The volume level in each channel is adjusted in 1.5 -dB steps and is displayed digitally on the front

-miiimmim panel. The moving -magnet phono input has *-1 =aoae Q"filltlIkkdo * selectable load resistance and capacitance, a separate moving -coil pre -preamplifier is Nikko NA -700 H. H Scott 458A included, and the output stage of the phono integrated amplifier integrated amplifier preamp is actually a miniature high -current power amp (to drive the complex impedance of the RIAA-equalization network without distortion). The price of the SAE P101 is $650. From England come two preamps with AMDZIELESSia. modular construction, permitting them to be tailored to individual needs. Available la-tit overseas for several years and now being in- 1 ro II troduced here, the $495 Boothroyd-Stuart IIII "Meridian" 101 is a tiny unit (2 inches high jpcpcp (P4)(Pio I I by 51/2 inches wide) with a control layout Onkyo A-65 Yamaha A-1060 consisting only of a volume control and in- integrated amplifier put -selector switches.Its phono preamps integrated amplifier are plug-in modules whose gain and response are tailored to complement the output of the phono cartridge you decide to use; modules are supplied for a broad range models are the SU-V3, -V5, -V7, and -V9, ish. Sold in England under the A&R /Cam- of moping -magnet and moving -coilcar- with power ratings from 40 to 120 W/ch bridge name, it is perhaps the slimmest amp tridge groups. The new Arcam (A&R/ into 8 ohms and prices from $280 to $650. on the market; barely 23,inches high, its Cambridge) C200 preamp can also be All but the SU-V3 have MC phono inputs, low profile is made possible by the use of a equipped with any combination of moving - and the SU-V9 includes a "super -bass" ad- toroidal power transformer. At a price of magnet, moving -coil, and line -level inputs justablelow -frequencyequalizer.These $600 its power rating of 35 W/ch may seem by selecting appropriate circuit boards; it Technics amps also feature Linear Feed- low, but its output stage is free of current also has room for an electronic crossover to back, which refers to the use of multiple limiting and so exhibits substantial head- biampl,fied loudspeakers.Its features in- feedback loops (instead of a single overall room above its rated power when driving clude selectable load resistance and capaci- negative -feedback path) to reduce distor- complex speaker impedances. And Amber tance ror both moving -coil and moving - tion and stabilize the output stage. Yamaha Electronics in Virginia is introducing its Se- magnet phono inputs, an infrasonic filter, introduced three more integrated amplifiers ries 50A integrated amplifier ($500). It in- and tone controls in a slim chassis 17 inches to fill out its new line; each includes a sepa- corporates much of the same circuitry wide by less than 2 inches high; price, rateloudness -compensationcontroland found in Amber's audiophile preamp and s750. separate input and recording selectors, a power -amp separates, including an MC The Luxman C-300 preamp has moving - feature Yamaha first made popular. The A- phono input, a high -current power supply coil inputs, low -feedback circuitry, and the 1060 (140 W/ch, $800) includes a separate with 40,000 microfarads of filter capaci- elegant appearance and feel customarily as- MC phono stage,selectablephono-car- tance, and an output stage completely free sociated with the Luxman name, but its tridge impedance loading, and a power sup- of current limiting. most striking novelty isits tone controls, ply that varies the voltage at the output In a similar vein, Harman Kardon's new which have continuously adjustable turn- transistors according to the demands of the 600 series includes three integrated ampli- over frequencies: the bass control is labeled musicalsignal.The A-560 (55 W/ch, fiers with high -current output stages de- from 20 Hz for slight rotations up to 400 Hz $300), with an MC phono input, and the signed to drive realistic speaker imped- at maximum boost or cut, and the treble A-460 (35 W/ch, $220) complete the Ya- ances. Of course the PM640i (35 W/ch, control varies from 10 kHz down to1 kHz maha line. $270), PM650i (50 W/ch, $370), and as boost or cut is increased. Two more integrated amplifiers deserve PM660i (80 W/ch, $530) also embody Returning tothe luxury market, the special notice, if only because they aren't H -K's focus on wide bandwidth and low Spectral Audio MS -One preamp from Cali- made in the Orient. The Arcam A60 is Brit- transient distortion. fornia is now in national distribution for

SEPTEMBER 1981 67 well-heeled audiophiles. For $2,195 you get true class -A amp or as a 150-W/ch class - power into a 2 -inch -high chassis ($495, two gold-plated military/space-quality circuit- AB amplifier. It employs negative feedback needed for stereo) in terms of the standard board construction, high-grade FETs and not only in the audio circuitry, but also in 8 -ohm rating, but its headroom and high- capacitors, MC inputs, and dead -accurate the power supply to prevent any voltage current capacity yield short-term outputs of RIAA phono equalization. For a little more modulation caused by the current demands over twice that figure into lower -impedance you also get an "a.c. power sequencer" that of the musical signal. A second Luxman en- loudspeakers. filters noise and transient spikes in the pow- tryis the vacuum -tube MQ-68C, which erline,monitors thelinevoltage, and uses no negative feedback whatsoever and is switches on the various components in an rated at 25 watts/channel. Sony's state-of- Tuners elaborate system with programmed delays the-art power amp is the TAN -900 "Es- Judging from the units demonstrated at to eliminate the thumps of turn -on. prit," a 200 -watt single -channel unit. It has the summer CES, we are on the threshold of Power amplifiers are always in season. Of fast power MOSFET output transistors, an a major advance in useful tuner perform- this year's crop perhaps the most imposing ultrasonic switching power supply with ance. Both Carver and NAD were showing is the Soundcraftsmen RA7503 profession- pulsewidth-modulation controlregulators independently developed circuits that dra- al amp, whose front panel sports a power supplying high currents with very stable matically improve the effective sensitivity meter in the form of two twenty -LED col- supply voltages, and no feedback to reduceof stereo FM tuners, converting a noisy, dis- umns with calibrations scaled from 0.05 to distortion. Instead, the nonlinearity of the torted, fringe -area signal into a clean, quiet, 1,000 watts into 4 ohms, plus an additional output stage is predetermined and the in- fully listenable one. NAD's version of this hundred LEDs comprising an octave -band coming signal is subjected to corrections in idea is being incorporated first into a porta- spectrum -analyzeroutputdisplay.This the driver stages in order to cancel the out- ble radio and won't appear in a domestic workhorse amplifier is rated at a continuous put -stage distortion, yielding an overall dis- stereo tuner until next year, but Carver's output of 250 W/ch into 8 ohms, 375 W/ch tortion rating of 0.05 per cent. new TX -II tuner is scheduled to be in the into 4 ohms, and a full horsepower (750 In addition to its standard line of stereostores this fall with an under -$500 retail watts) in bridged monophonic operation. components, Marantz has also designed a price. In addition to its "noise -eliminator" Moreover, the "class -H" dynamically vari- no -compromise series of "Esotec" models. switch, the TX -II is equipped with a second able power supply provides an extra 2 dB of This series includes the SM-6 power ampli- button labeled "multipatheliminator" IHF headroom above each of these figures fier ($950), which can be switched to oper- which does just that (see the August -issue during musical peaks, so the 1,000 -watt cal- ate either in true class -A at 30 W/ch or in "Bulletin"). The Carver TX -11 is a digital- ibration on the power meter is no joke. class -AB at 120 W/ch, and the massive synthesis tuner with six station presets and Strictly speaking, this $1,150 amplifier is SM- 1000 with thirty-six output transistors a new front-end design said to be unusually intended for professional use; the same amp and a rated output of 400 W/ch for $5,500. resistant to strong -signal overload. in domesticated form, with the LED power Less exotic in price, though hardly conven- Another attention -getting tuner was the meter but without the spectrum -analyzer tionalintechnology,isCarver's M-500 Toshiba STS -80 ($419.95, a low -profile display, reails for $850 as the Soundcrafts- "magnetic -field" power amplifier, about 4 digital -synthesis unit with fifteen presets men MA -5002A. It also features in each inches high with standard19 -inch rack each for FM and AM and a readout that channel a LED that is triggered by wave- width. It is rated at 250 W/ch and priced at displays not only the station's frequency but form distortion to indicate the true onset of $550. also its call letters (or any other four-letter amplifier clipping-if you ever play it that The Boothroyd-Stuart "Meridian" 105 expression you care to program into the tun- loud. The amp will drive speaker imped- mono power amp packs 100 watts of rated er's memory to identify the station). This is ances down to 2 ohms with no problems. High power outputs are also available from another California company, SAE, whose new "01" seriesis topped by the $1,900 A1001 power amp rated at 500 W/ch into 8 ohms and 750 W/ch into 4 ohms, with safe operation into load imped- Li

ances down to 1 ohm. Other high -current amplifiers in this series are the SAE A501 (250 W/ch, $1,050), the A301 (ISO W/ch, Denon TU-700 H. H. Scott 528TL $800), and the A201 (100 W/ch, $600). And also from the West Coast comes the Questar pair of "class -A" power amplifiers ( 1 1 I W/ch, approx. $490; 222 W/ch, ap- 411.1111.01111111ft prox. $690) and the QED 7 preamplifier .4111111.111.111-i--ireurni. yaw (approx. $400). MI 7 n Purity rather than potency is the object "11111' - IIIIII of pure class -A operation, with its high idle currents and rock -stable circuit operation Nikko NT -700 Technics ST -004 (not to be confused with the "quasi -class- A" performance of dynamic -bias amplifiers). Sumo's Model Nine power amp (70 W/ch, $600) is evidently an in-between design, with an auto -biasing circuit closer to traditional class -A operation than most dy- 1111111.....1 namic -bias designs, but it still cuts the power dissipation at idle in half. An impressive Pioneer F-9 Toshiba ST -S80 example of no -holds -barred true class -A design was introduced by Denon as the POA- 8000, a 200 -watt mono power amp weigh- ing 48 pounds and costing $2,300 each ($4,600 for a stereo pair). Its massive front panel is dominated by a large peak -reading output meter. Luxman's entries in the cost -is -no -object MM. if - race toward perfection include the M-300, a Nairn NAT 310 Yamaha T-1060 66 -pound solid-state model that can be switched to operate either as a 40-W/ch

68 STEREO REVIEW not thefirst "alphanumeric" tuner ever arms come from Pioneer, Akai, and Tech- marketed, but it's good to see such a design r nics. The direct -drivePioneer PL -L800 available again. (about $500) is further distinguished by an Digital -synthesis tuning with convenient internalsuspension systemthatisolates presets for favorite stations continues to ap- platter and tone arm-something new in di- pear under virtually every brand and often rect -drive designs. A host of other new Pio- at economical prices. New examples include neer players-the PL -8, PL -7, PL -5, PL -4, the Hitachi FT -5500 ($350) with five pre- and PL -2, descending in price to about sets each for FM and AM and a rated sig- S I00-share the same suspension, although nal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 79 dB in stereo. the PL -2 is in fact a belt -drive machine. Pi- the Hitachi FT -4500 ($250) with six pre- oneer has included its PC-4MC high -output sets for each band and 75 -dB S/N in stereo; moving -coil cartridge with the PL -L800. the Onkyo T-35 with seven presets each Akai's radial -tracking offerings are the ($350); and three models from Technics. AP -L95 ($575) and AP -L45 ($400). The each with eight presets and selectable i.f principal difference isin automation. The bandwidth for dealing with closely spaced AP -L95 has an optical sensor on a separate stations-the ST -S4 ($280), ST -S6 ($380), "sub -arm" and can be programmed to and ST -S8 ($500). All of these are low -pro- TURI1TOIBLES play-or not play-as many as sixteen file components only two to three inches bands on a record in any desired sequence. high. Yamaha has filled out its tuner line At $475, the AP -Q80 offers similar pro- with the T-160, a digital voltage -synthesis CARTRIDGES gramming capability, plus optional remote model with five presets for each band, plus control, but it has a conventional pivoted two economy -price analog -tuned models. SPEAKERS arm instead of a radial tracker. The ma- Denon and Luxman each showed a new chine is specifically intended for use with tuner. The Denon TU-900 ($590) is analog - Akai's top minicomponent system. tuned with servo -lock fine tuning, a digital Technics appeared at the Summer CES frequency display, and a rated S/N of 85 with nine new turntable models, the most dB in stereo; the Luxman T-115 is a digital stirring of which were the SL-QL I($470) frequency -synthesis model with six presets aid SL -DL I($360), both withradial - on each band. Nikko has a new digital -syn- tracking arms in the tradition of the SL -10 thesis tuner with six memory presets, the and optical sensors to govern the arms' op- $300 Model NT -700, plus the analog -tuned e-ations Technics includes cartridges in the NT -500 at $180. And Pioneer's newly re - prices of these machines, but it should be engineered and restyled series of compo- noted that alternative cartridges that will nents includes threetuners, an analog - work with them and their special connectors tuned model with digital frequency display are rapidly appearing from many other (F-5, $200) and two digital -synthesis mod- manufacturers. For the rest of its offerings, els (F-7 and F-9) with six presets each and Technics descends to $100 in price and runs front-end circuits that are said to be un- the gamut from quartz -locked direct -drive usually resistant to crossmodulation caused to comparatively modest belt -drive units. by strong -signal overload. The $450 F-9 Dual has completed its stylistic transition also employs a digital pulse -count detector to a new metallic -finish scheme, has built for minimum distortion. its line up to ten models with either direct - Several U.S. manufacturers are launch- drive or belt -driven platters, and has even ing new tunersthis year. SAE's TIOI devised a dust cover that requires no clear- ($650) is a digital -synthesis unit with five ance behind the turntable when lifted. Two presets, automatic stereo blending for im- of the machines, the Models 1258 (SI 50) proved quieting of weak signals, and switch - and 1268 ($200), are changers. The other able i.f. bandpass. Adcom's GFT-1 is also a new models, rising in price to $370 (Model digital model, while the Studio Three from Turntables 728Q), are variously equipped with sophis- PSE (Professional Systems Engineering) is ticated suspension systems and very -low - analog -tuned with a digital frequency dis- From a purely technical standpoint, the mass tone arms with tunable anti -resonance playfeaturingasurface acoustic wave great novelties in record-player design have counterweightsto accommodate awide (SAW) filter in the i.f. circuit for an opti- been the radial -tracking tone arm (exem- range of cartridge compliances. mized combination of high selectivity and plified so far by quite a number of products) Kenwood's turntable story for this show linear phase response as required for low and the servo -controlled conventional arm. revolved around high platter mass, special- distortion in stereo. Crown's FM Two digi- The first attempts to make the arm inde- ized materials (often in laminated form), tal -synthesis tuner ($600) features a JFET pendent of certain geometrical errors and base assemblies designed for maximum im- cascode front end for improved immunity to externally generated forces. The second munity to external vibration, and elaborate- overload and crossmodulation, plus a pulse - tries to make the arm independent of the lyexecutedtone arms. The company's count detector for lowest distortion. consequences of its own mass. claim is that a record player inert and accu- And at the very high end, there's the A new Biotracer servo tone arm is em- rate enough to do justice to today's better NAT 310 from Naim Audio of England. ployed on Sony's PS -X600 turntable, and it disc recordings is more than a match for Priced at $3,500, the Naim tuner's special is compatible with virtually any cartridge. digital technology. The prominent exemplar talent is its ability to adjust its reception pa- For those unfamiliar withitsoperating of this philosophy is the L -07D, with an out- rameters to optimize the subjective sound principle, the Biotracer is a totally motor- board power supply, a precise arm -height quality. On FM this optimization involves ized arm; tracking force, skating compensa- adjustment, and a quartz -regulated direct - stereo blending for weak signals and, if tion, and all other arm functions are elec- drive motor. The new KD-650 and K D-600 needed, a treble rolloff to minimize the au- tronically established and governed by con- carry the idea to lower price levels. dible noise. On AM, the tuner adjusts its trol signals derived from the movement of Luxman, which has come under the aegis reception bandwidth to suit the signal and the arm and cartridge on the record. It is a of Alpine Electronics, remains dedicated to even tunes its external AM antenna for op- complex andfairlycostly approachto the idea of a vacuum bond between disc and timum reception. The Naim tuner's AM record playing, but it can be quite effective platter to keep the disc firmly in place and performance isparticularly advantageous in subduing the consequences of such prac- unable to vibrate. The least expensive reali- in Europe, where much music broadcasting tical problems as arm -cartridge resonance zation of this concept yet is the $600 PD - is found on medium -wave and long -wave and record warp. 375, a two -speed machine with a direct - AM stations rather than on FM. New turntableswithradial -tracking drive motor system. (Continued overleaf)

SEPTEMBER 1981 69 Marantz reports that nearly 2,000 com- eluded), but Denon's commercial prospects in turntables: speeds are almost exclusively puter -simulation studies have gone into the are probably more closely bound up with 331h and 45 rpm; drive systems are belt or geometrical design of its latest tone arms, the new DP -32F ($325)and DP -3I L direct;single -play machines remain su- which have become available on the direct - ($225), machines whose prices are surpris- preme; tone arms are almost all of the so- drive TT 6200 and TT 4200 ($310 and ingly low for this manufacturer and whose called "straight" pivoted configuration (no $250), the direct -drive TT 2200 (S200), platter systems are floated on magnetic fields. exotic bends or swoops) unless they're ra- and the belt -drive TT 1200 (S130). The Further isolationisprovided by spring - dial -tracking; truly new or different tech- former two are fully automatic single -play suspended motorboards, and tone -arm func- nology is not much in evidence; and prices machines. tions are controlled by microprocessors. are tending to go down. Micro Seiki is one of the great advocates To summarize this show's developments of belt -drive, and its latest products-the (Continued on page 73) BL -21 ($330), MB -38 ($470), and MB- 12ST ($150)-reflect this attitude. The BL -2I has an ebony -finish base and no tone arm; the MB -38 is automatic in operation, with a separate motor to control its tone arm; the MB-12ST is the least expensive Micro Seiki turntable yet. Also new from the company is the $160 CFX-2 tone arm with carbon -fiber shaft and cartridge shell. Another belt -drive entry, the $130 NP -500, comes from Nikko. A bit upscale in price, the $230 NP -800 is the company's statement on the design of direct -drive record players. Onkyo and Aiwa have also split their latest turntable offerings evenly between belt - Nikko NP -800 and direct -drive. In the former category, the Onkyo CP-1012F ($150) provides a pitch control augmented by a two-color Akai AP -L95 LED display to indicate speed errors. For $135, the belt -drive Aiwa AP -D35 consti- tutes a basic but well -executed record -playing system that includes a pre -installed moving -magnet cartridge. Onkyo's directdrive CP-1027F ($189) has a separate motor for the tone arm, plus an optical sensor to trigger that motor at the end of a record. The $245 Aiwa AP -D60, also direct -drive, locates its optical sensor below the turntable 4it mat where it can read record diameter and thereby control the cueing functions of the Cnkyo CP-1012a arm. It is also supplied with a moving -magnet cartridge installed. Denon DP -31L Four new Sanyo turntables range in price from $90 to $150. The belt -drive TPX-1 is the basic, no -frills machine. An additional $10 buys either a pre -installed cartridge (TPX-1C) or a pitch control with strobe display (TPX- IS). The TPX-2 goes to automated features, and the direct -drive TPX-3 will repeat records indefinitely. Sherwood claims thatits new MTD ("minimum tracking distortion") players, Pioneer PL-LBOO the ST -901 ($130) and ST -902 ($160), are among the very few available machines whose tone arms are geometrically correct. Both turntables are belt -driven, with the Dual 7280 costlier ST -902 offering a more sophisticated motor, independent pitch controls for the two speeds, and a stroboscopic speed indicator. The Scott PS48A and PS68A, belt- and direct -drive, respectively, are described as semiautomatic machines with prices com- fortably under $200. Mesa's prices are com- Saisui FR -D258 fortablyunder $100forthreerecord players, two of which (Models 65 SV and 70) come equipped with Audio-Technica AT70 moving -magnet cartridges and one (Model 2600 SV) with a ceramic cartridge of unspecified origin. The machines with SV suffixes are changers. Denon broke backs and bank accounts to get the mighty DP -100 direct -drive machine to the show (weight approaches 200 pounds; price is around $5,000, arm not in -

Techrics SL-QL 1 70 J When you audition any of into our three new models. our three new Along with the cassette decks kind of quality with built-in dbx,* that makes a TEAL you'll experience a TEAC. something For instance, we you've never use three motors heard before. to drive the V-5RX. Noise -free sound. Music One each for the reels, the so well-defined you won't our capstan and our unique believe it's on a cassette. Electroload system. All run Without dbx, this kind by silky smooth, silent of performance would be transport controls. impossible. But the dbx The V-3RX gives you system which helped revo- that, plus our exclusive new lutionize professional Cobalt Amorphous head. recording, is now helping us move cassette It's frequency response -20 Hz to 20 kHz - performance into a new era. covers the full range of hi_man hearing. That's because the dbx system is more In the C-3RX, you get three separate than just noise elimination.You can set heads: erase, record and play. Plus double average record levels much lower, so when dbx circuitry for true 3ff-the-tape monitoring. the music suddenly peaks you get it all- Three new cassete decks from TEAC. crisp, clean and undistorted. Each with a distinctive complement of We were the first manufacturer to incor- features. All with built-in dbx. For com- porate dbx in tape recorders. And every- pletely noise -free sound and the broadest thing we've learned about it since is built musical range possible.

CIRCLE NO. 53 ON READER SERVICE CARD David R. Wilson President der Treasurer Personal Economics Securities, Corp. New York, N.Y. "I'vehad rich Scotch, and I'vehad poorScotch. Believemerichis better:'

CH ERS1 HIGHLAND CREAM

ftrfection ot SCOTCH WHISKY

. L .nn rimlurp rwportiontjtveRtra ! rock Pri.thies Teacher's Scotch. Rich is better. TEACHER SIB IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF WM. TEACHER & SONS LTD. 86 PROOF BLENDED SCOTCH WHISK Y O 1981 BACARDI IMPORT$ INC., MIAMI, FLAND NEW YORK, NY Phono Cartridges If you were paying attention through the previous section, you will have noted an increasing trend toward record players with pre -installed cartridges. The other side of that trend is the growing number of cartridges designed to be used in one particular record player. At this show Shure Brothers joined other manufacturers who are accom- modatingthepopular Technicsradial - tracking turntables with special models. The VI5 LT ($130) is essentially the equivalent of the V15 Type IV, but it is specifi- callyconfiguredforinstallationinthe Technics SL -I0. Inlikemanner,the M97LT ($107) is recommended for the Technics SL -7. Both cartridges, along with three other new Shure models, have hyper - elliptical styli. Another Shure product, the MV30 HE, is again the equivalent of the VI5 Type IV, but itis integrated with an arm shaft for the SME 3009 Series tone arms. Price is $230. . . . Jeff you remember Phil-Phil makes the world's finest speaker. Phil, From all evidence, interest in moving -coil you met Jeff, who makes the world's finest speaker, atlast year's show. cartridges is not slowing down but rather Oh-there's Sir John Hudspeth from England! Sir John makes quickening.Pioneer has justintroduced the world's finest speaker, you know. . . ." three, priced from approximately $100 to $250. One, the PC-4MC, has a user -replaceable stylus and an output comparable to that of a moving -magnet design, making arms of the Technics radial -tracking ma- are designed to be used with low -mass tone a head amp or step-up transformer unneces- chines. The EPC-p23 ispriced at $70; arms. sary. The PC-70MC and PC-50MC offer prices for the other moving -magnet models Finally, considerations of mass have in- more conventional moving -coilperform- were unavailable. fluenced John Marovskis Audio Systems in ance, and the former has a beryllium rather Pickering claims to offer a sonically valid a different way. The new Mirror Image than an aluminum cantilever. alternative to moving -coil cartridges in the Transducer MIT- Imoving -coil cartridge ADC has joined the moving -coil camp form of moving -magnet designs with very employs a mass -loaded van den Hull stylus. with the $235 MC 1.5, the performance of low coil impedances. The latest such, the The clamed benefits of providing a careful- which is likened to that of the company's SV-7500S, is said to benefit from the use of ly calculated increase in effective tip mass Astrion pickup. A titanium cantilever and a special preamplifier. Stanton has adopted are complex in the explanation, but they very small elliptical stylus are said to result the same policy with the new 98OLZS have to do with the correction of certain in reduced tip mass. The Signet MK I 10E ($250); a companion step-up preamplifier, groovedeformationspresumablyintro- ($125) is another moving -coil design with a the BA -26, is available for $189. duced as a part of the record -cutting proc- replaceable stylus.It debuted with three The three latest pickups from AKG com- ess. The MIT- I costs $550. other Signet cartridges, the dual -moving - bine the company's transversal stylus -sus- magnet TK9Ea($275)and TK9LCa pension system with a new high -resolution Speakers ($295), and the $1,200 TKIOOLC, with a stylus shape ("Analog -6") and other refine- hollow ruby cantilever and toroidal coils ments. All are of the induced -magnet type. They may not be, at $3,300 the pair, for (non-moving) wound with silver wire. Prices: PS 25 MD, $250; PS 15 MD, $165; everybody, but anybody who actively fol- Audio-Technica's new models AT3OHE, P 10 ED, S115. lows deelopments in sound reproduction is AT3I E, and AT35E are all moving -coil de- Ortofon's MC 10 Mk11 is priced at $185 bound to be curious about the first new signs with replaceable styli.Prices range and is an attempt to create a moving -coil loudspeakers from the British manufacturer from $135 to $250 for the beryllium -canti- cartridge with a minimum of effective tip Quad in almost twenty-five years. Like its levered AT35E, called the smallest and mass using a nude elliptical stylus and low - predecessor, the Quad ESL -63 is an elec- lightest pickup in the A -T moving -coil line. mass aluminum cantilever. A new addition trostatic reproducer, but with directional Smaller and lighterstillare the Audio- to the Ortofon Concorde line, the EC I 0, is characteristics like no other electrostatic. Technica dual -moving -magnet AT55XE, priced at $65. The electrodes that drive the planar -film di- AT57XE, and AT59XE ($125 to $145). Sonic Research has revived its calibra- aphragm are divided into concentric rings, The second in this series is integrated with a tion -standard program in the form of the and the drive signal is progressively delayed standard bayonet connector tofitthose Dimension5, ahigh -compliance pickup electronically for the outer rings. With such arms with the appropriate mount, while the that, at $350, features hand selection and an arrangement, itis possible for the dia- third has a connector made for some of the calibration, with individual test results in- phragm to develop a wave pattern that is latest straight-arm turntables. cluded. To complement the characteristics effectively a spherical section-one of the Adcom has a new moving -coil model, the of the Dimension 5, the manufacturer rec- theoretical ideals for a loudspeaker. In ad- HC -E at $130, and so does Yamaha, the ommends the new Sonus Formula 4 tone dition, the ESL -63 is said to be improved in MC -5 at $180. The Yamaha device appears arm ($265), a design that aims at a mini- uniformity, sensitivity, power handling, and to respond to purely vertical and lateral sty- mum of effective mass. maximum output. Quad enthusiasts should lus movements, and to derive stereo outputs Mass is also a concern of Osawa, which be glad to learn that the screens have been from asignalmatrix. The $130 EPC- has cut the weight of its newest cartridges sealed withinacoustically transparent 310MC, a moving -coil design, is but one of to about half that of previous ones. The new membranes, which means they won't dou- five new cartridges from Technics. Boron models are the OS -1001($60), IS -2001 ble as electrostatic air cleaners. cantilevers are a feature of the costlier ($80), and OS -3001 ($100). Nagatronics Another exotic speaker principle that has Technics models. The 310MC is integrated has introduced a new brand name, IMS, been some yearsin developmentisthe with a bayonet -type connector, while the which is a direct reference to the induced - Walsh design pioneered by Ohm Acoustics. new moving -magnet EPC-p22, EPC-p22s, magnet principle. The four IMS models, The Ohm Walsh 2 ($275) is smaller, cheap- EPC-p23, and EPC-p205CMK3 adapt to a starting with the $55 1400ER and rising to er, and more efficient than its Ohm F an- number of mounting sytems, including the the $90 14601E with integrated headshell, cestor, and it utilizes the same sort of me -

SEPTEMBER 1981 73 chanical-transmission-line driver to propa- in the construction of the sub -enclosures gate a cylindrical wavefront. housing midrange and tweeter for the Mod- I The Bose 601 Series II system, with for- els 801 and 802 systems. The material is ward- and upward -firing8 -inch woofers said to be uncommonly strong and inert. and four 3 -inch tweeters facing in various Osawa, which distributes the Heco loud- r directions, aims to realize the company's speakers in this country, has now officially preferred ratio of reflected to direct sound. brought to market the $1,850 Heco Lab 2 The floor -standing system costs $445. and $2,450 Lab 3. Both are tower systems 0 Another bookshelf system from Acoustic withlarge,upward -firingwoofersand Research, the $200 AR48s, is a three-way front -mounted arrays of tweeter and mid- design (10 -inch woofer, 4 -inch sub -enclosed range domes. The presence of front -firing midrange, andI -inch dome tweeter) that smaller woofers makes them four-way sys- now leads the line of AR bookshelf systems. tems. Moving in the opposite direction, Ce- In a somewhat smaller format, the Ken- lestion presented two rather small systems, wood two-way LS -10 exemplifies this man- the Ditton 110 at $175 and the Ditton 100 ufacturer's idea of a bookshelf design, with at $130. Woofer sizes are 8 and 61/2 inches; a radially ribbed woofer just over 7 inches tweeters are both 1 -inch domes. Polk Audio indiameter and aplanar -typetweeter KEF, another overseas manufacturer, RTC, 12B measuring about 11/2 inches. has new two-way systems, the Models 203 Design activity at JBL has given birth to and 204, at prices of $300 and $550, respec- a new four -model "Radiance" line of two - tively. The costlier model has an oval pas- and three-way designs, the largest of which sive radiator. BSR has improved two of its (the floor -standing R133) has a 10 -inch existing models, the 103 and 123, giving passive radiator together with a 10 -inch them both "B" suffixes in the process, and woofer. The smallest system, the R82, has added a new three-way system with a 15- an 8 -inch woofer and 11/2 -inch tweeter. For inch woofer, the $200 Model 153. professional uses, JBL has announced a pair Akai has essentially replaced its previous of new studio -monitor systems, the Models models with three new systems in three- and 4430 and 4435, employing controlled -direc- two-way configurations. Prices run from tivityhorns, high -frequency compression $270 per pair for the CW-T33 to the same drivers, and I5 -inch woofers. price apiece for the CW-T77. Scott has ADS showed the Subsat-2300, a sophisti- added to its "Slimcom" line with the Model cated powered-subwoofer/satellite system 208 two-way ($110) and Model 311 three- using optoelectronic techniques. The three- way ($250). Aiwa has a single new speaker, piece ensemble costs $1,650. the E60, which is small enough to be called Sansui's new SP -X9 ($400) has a 171/4- a minispeaker and costs $125. inch (!) woofer plus a 61/2 -inch cone mid- Benjamin, has announced that it will in- Bang & Olufsen range, two midrange sectoral horns, and deed handle the Vieta line of speaker sys- three 2 -inch tweeters, one of which radiates tems from Spain. The Benjamin series of MS -150 and M-150 through an acoustic lens. The $350 SP -X8 three models is distinguished by the $3,500- is almost identical, but it drops the acoustic per -pair B-10,000, a nine -driver multidirec- lens and one of the midrange horns. Two tional system with alternating midranges more SP -X introductions descend to the and tweeters mounted in a horizontal ring. $260 SP -X6 with a 13 -inch woofer. At sim- The other two systems, at $600 and $300, ilar price points are the three new JVC are more conventional. speaker systems, the Zero 6 ($440), Zero 4 Subwoofers are still a lively area. ADC's ($330), and Zero 2 ($250). Here the em- new one, the $198 MS10W, is an attractive phasis is on such proven devices as the JVC entry, as are its Model 260 satellite system ribbon tweeter as well as on new midranges and two new three-way full -range systems, using improved diaphragm materials. the Models 310 and 312. Cizek now has the Design Acoustics has gone to a satellite "Sound Window" subwoofer ($249), which system, the $595 Triad, for its latest prod- is designed to complement the previously uct. Each satellite unit contains a 5 -inch introduced Sound Window small systems in midrange and1 -inch dome tweeter, while a satellite array. (Another new Cizek prod- the separate bass cabinet has a12 -inch uct is the Model 727 two-way speaker sys- KEF Model 204 dual -voice -coil woofer. The Triad can be tem at $97.) Audio Pro builds the necessary biamplified or used with a single stereo am- amplifier into its new B2-40 subwoofer. plifier, in which case the dual woofer voice coils and completely separate crossover net- ONE of the most celebrated and contro- works "decomplicate" the load presented to versial tweeters in audio history was known the amplifier. in this country as the lonovac. It had no Three new "Phase -Link" loudspeakers moving parts, but instead persuaded air to from Bang & Olufsen bring the line to five; move itself by the application of a high ion- all use aI -inch dome tweeter, and all but izing voltage. It is born again in the intrigu- one a 3 -inch dome midrange. The latest ingPlasmatronics speaker system from models also use 8 -inch woofers in air -sus- Alan Hill, and according to Jon Dahlquist it pension enclosures. Prices go from $995 for will continue to live in the Magnat tweeter, the S 120 to $550 for the two-way S 50. which Dahlquist will soon import from its From David Hafler comes an interesting Viennese manufacturer. The device resem- two-way system (Model 355), for just $200, blesaball -type microphone windscreen utilizing a tallish cylindrical enclosure. A atop a chunky electronics package. 3/4 -inch tweeter and two 61/2 -inch woofers Another tweeter featured at the show are the drivers; their acoustic centers have comes from RTR; itis set off by a dome been aligned to maintain arrival -time co- diaphragm stiffened with an intersecting BES SM 300. SM 270. herence. And from B&W comes an inter- pattern of Dupont Kevlar filaments-a de- SM 255. and SM 250 esting new material, Fibrecrete, a form of sign that is said to make the dome's behav- glass -reinforced concrete that is being used ior more predictable. The "Acoustic Fila-

74 STEREO REVIEW ment Technology" (AFT) tweeter is used in the new RTR AFT 6.1speaker system, along with a 6 -inch air -suspension woofer. Other new RTR products include the DAC- 2 subwoofer,incorporatingtwo8 -inch woofers plus a large passive radiator, and a large (84 inches high) wide -range (132 to 35,000 Hz) electrostatic speaker system, the ESR 24. BGW has become the distributor for the British Tannoy loudspeakers in this country, and the latest Tannoy designs are the T:10 "Stratford" at $229 and the enormous Tannoy"Dreadnaught,"offering I26 -dB sound -pressure levels for $6,000 the pair. Polk Audio is enthusiastic about its JBL Models Acoustic Research RTA I 2B, successor to the RTA 12, which 4430 and 4435 I.F4as is the first system the company has designed with a computer. IMF is similarly enthusiastic about its Special Application Con- trol Monitor, a large floor -standing system with separate midrange and high -frequency sub -enclosures. The "ruthlessly accurate" ensemble is available by special order only, but some of its components can be had in a small system designed for rear -channel applications in Ambisonic sound systems, an outgrowth of four -channel technology that IMF is vigorously involving itself with. Boston Acoustics' line progresses downward in size this year to the A40 two-way bookshelf system. And the Delphi line progresses upward, with the $795 "Tower" scheduled to go into distribution immediately.It follows the Delphi practice of re- Micro -Acoustics JVC Zero 4 producing almost all audio frequencies with Model 2dx arrays of wide -range 8 -inch drivers. Getting back to small again, there are the DCM "Macrophones"; at $360 thepair, these diminutive two-way systems represent the smallest designs the manufacturer thinks could legitimately be called full -range. Shahinian Acoustics seems never to use the same enclosure shape twice. The latest Shahinian designs are the 5235 "Pipe" (which looksit),the $385 "Arch" (an upright trapezoidal wedge, actually, but you can see what the name is getting at), and the SI,250 "Contra Bombarde" sub - woofer. containing two horn -loaded 8 -inch driversAnother pipe comes from Daniel Queen Laboratories: a gracefully proportioned 52 -inch -high cylinder intended to Celestion achieve absolute spectral and arrival -time Ditton 110 Quad ESL -63 uniformity throughout the lateralplane. The system is called the "Controlled Arri- val Loudspeaker," and the price is $1,250. Ness Fried speaker systems for the show included updates of several existing models plus the $1,500 three-way Model HPS, a large pyramidal design, and the $400 three- way Model G. The new speaker from Pyra- mid is a mini, the Metronome Model 7, having a cone tweeter and a price of $300. The newer Hartley models have been both dramatically big (witness the 24 -inch "Poly- mer" woofer) and not quite so big (for example the four -piece SPL-I system, with two largish bass modules and two much smaller "phasor array" satellites intended for stereo -image enhancement). Infinity Koss Dyne -Mite Cerwin-Vega has begun to use its recent- Reference Standard III ly developed coaxial mid-bass/tweeter as- Ohm Acoustics sembly in home speaker systems, the first Walsh 2 model of which will be the 8I 2S. And Jans- zen has begun to use its newly improved electrostatic elements in the Model A -210b,

SEPTEMBER 1981 75 a two-way design with a 10 -inch woofer and Model 101 is $850 per pair, the Model 202 comes with the System 400. The speakers two electrostatic screens. The 1200 SMT $1,400 per pair. Bi-amping is particularlyare said to be identical to the KLH Model ("Tower") introduces a new line of systems recommended for the two systems in Eng-Three-except, of course, for the latter's from Sound Dynamics with a $400 two- land's Meridian line, the M2 and the M3, bass -reinforcement circuitry. way -plus -passive -radiator configuration. both of which are two-way designs. The There were many new entries into the Finally, here are a few additional notes Morel loudspeakers from Israel do not an- minicomponent field. BSR introduced the on some overseas manufacturers beginning ticipate bi-amplification, but they do ad- MCR 200, which includes a 20-W/ch re- to brave the vicissitudes of the U.S. market. dress highly individual tastes by offering aceiver, a solenoid -operated cassette deck, England's ARC makes two-way systems striking variety of shapes and sizes within a and a pair of two-way acoustic -suspension that can be bi-amplified or used with their five -model line whose prices range from speakers for $530. Rotel debuted three sys- own removablepassivecrossovers. The $160 to $550. tems, of which the biggest, the Micro 90, has complete remote control. Blaupunkt introduced a mini system with a 15-W/ch integrated amp; an AM/ FM/Iongwave tuner; a cassette deck which accepts chrome, ferrichrome, or metal tape; and a pair of 8 - inch two-way speakers. While the Blau- punkt minis were obviously designed for the home and not for the car, Sony exhibited a micro system, the XF-5000 Transsound, . which looks like car components in a porta- ® ble box. It includes a digital -synthesis tun- * er/tape deck/preamp with Dolby, plus a pulse power supply "booster amp." The system can run on 12 volts. And Hitachi introduced itsfirst mini system, the J-2,for minis $800. Aiwa has improved its mini line with a new 30-W/ch power amp that has a mov- CASCEIVERS ing -coil phono input and a front -loading tape deck with a flywheel -assisted load/ eject system. The M-606 package is $525. flflD A report by Even those portable "boom boxes" are beginning to develop fissures, the front pan- PORTRBLES Brod Meyer els being divided into sections to provide the look of separates. JVC's Quintet system, however, reallyis made up of separate pieces; they can be spread out on a low shelf or clipped together with a handle for travel- ing. The Quintet has a tuner that will re- Writers habitually resort to categoriza- line components, but is really one piece, is ceive AM, FM, and two short-wave bands tion in trying to make sense of large collec- the Saba C3000. It contains a cassette deck, including marine frequencies; there is also a tions of unwieldy facts. Manufacturers, on an integrated amplifier, a tuner, and a turn- 12-W/ch amplifier with phono preamp and the other hand, regard any space between table that is set into the top. The package is aux input, plus a solenoid -operated metal - categories as an untapped market, and in 16 inches wide and 18 inches high; it sells compatible tape deck with full -logic con- their unceasing efforts to fill in the product for $700. A matching pair of two-way trol, Super ANRS noise reduction, and pro- gaps they blur carefully drawn distinctions. speakers with 7 -inch woofers is $120. gram -search mode. The Quintet uses full - For instance: halfway between a "rack" au- American consumers are apparently not range 4 -inch speakers in vented cabinets; dio system and a minicomponent system as willing as their Japanese and European price, $650. there has popped up another type that is counterparts to suffer the inconveniences of Another battery -operated system is Tele- made up of smallish regular components cramped front panels and tiny controlsfunken's HIFI-Studio I ($600). The Studio and sold as a unit but designed to sit on a merely to save a little space. Manufacturers I,whichisavailableineither metallic shelf instead of being lodged in a separate arethereforeevolvingother, somewhat brown or silver, sports 5 -inch, three-way de- piece of furniture. The Pioneer X-50 Shelf larger systems. The intermediate -size slim - tachable speaker systems. There is a four - Component System ($1,200) contains a 40- line ensembles discussed above are one ex- band tuner (AM, FM, short-wave, and W/ch (watts per channel) integrated am- ample of this. Another new tactic is to put a long -wave), a cassette deck with the High plifier, a quartz -synthesized tuner with in- minicassette-deck mechanism and a small Corn broadbandnoise -reductionsystem tegral timer, and a two -head cassette deck, receiver into a single package and call it a plus Dolby playback, and a power -amp sec- plus a pair of two-way speaker systems with "casceiver." Many manufacturers-includ- tion rated at 30 W/ch during a.c. operation 7 -inchacoustic -suspensionwoofers. The ing JVC, Pioneer, Sansui, Panasonic, Fish- and about 15 when the system is running amp and tape deck have large metal plates er, Kenwood, and Sony-introduced exam- from its batteries. on the front panel which serve the main ples of this genre in Chicago. The typical There was also a full complement of one - control functions: on the tape deck you casceiver is about the size of a low -profile brand systems, those non-standard "racks" press the top of the plate for play, either cassette deck;ithas a 30-W/ch output, that are the industry's latest flier in a new side for fast winding, and the bottom for quartz -synthesized tuning with scanning component format. This is a fast -developing stop. An optional turntable ($235) is only and seven or more presets, a solenoid -oper- field, with new entrants almost weekly, and 81/4 inches deep; the record and tone arm ated cassette deck with metal -tape capabili- we plan to monitor it closely for a short project from the front when in use. ty, and optional automatic level controls for while in order to bring readers a more com- Hitachi has a similar system, the Sys- recording. prehensive roundup of the breed in the De- tematics M235 DR "Midi" ($850), which KLH's contribution is the System 400 cember issue. sits in a two -shelf open rack 18 inches high. ($800), whose electronic section looks like a And Aiwa's new Slim Line components, cassette deck, tuner/preamp, and power comprising a tuner, a 50-W/ch integrated amp stacked together with walnut side pan- amplifier, an auto -loading cassette deck els. The three pieces cannot be separated, This report on the 1981 Chicago Consumer with Dolby -C, anditan automatic turntable, though, because they all run from one pow- Electronics Show will be concluded next make a stack whose total height is only 12 er supply. Functionally, it's the same as a month with Ivan Berger's reports on Audio inches. The price for all four is $1,225. casceiver. A pair of Model Four loudspeak- Accessories and some new developments in A system that looks like a stack of slim - ers (two-way units with 4 -inch woofers) the rapidly expanding Audio/Video field.

76 STEREO REVIEW WarningThe Surgeon General Has Cketermilai That Cigarette Smokinc Is DangerouE to Your Healti.

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L LTRA LIGHTS: 4 mg. "tar", (14 mg. nicotine, 9 mg LOW"hr FILTER: 9 mg. "tar", 0.8 mg. amine, ay. per cigarette by FTC method BEST OF THE MonTH STEREO REVIEW'S SELECTION OF RECORDINGS OF SPECIAL MERIT

Gidon and Elena Kremer: Exceptional Music Making

GDON KREMERseems tohave organized by the composer's biographer kofiev exudes a charm and wit that turned up on a differentlabel Arbie Orenstein at Queens College in must make any listener wonder why it nearly every time we've heard from him 1975 (their recording of it is on Musical isn't one of the most popular pieces in since his Western recording debut on Heritage Society MHS 3581, together the repertoire. Satie'sChoses Vues Angel five years ago in the Brahms with other premieres from that event). Droite et a Gauche (sans Lunettes)and Violin Concerto with Herbert von Ka- The Kremers are a good deal more in- Milhaud's LePrintemps arejust the rajan, who was quoted then as declar- tense and impassioned than Tarack and sort of shorter pieces one wants to fill ing Kremer "the greatest violinist in the Pommers, never overwhelming the mu- out the Ravel side, and they too are world." Not all of Kremer's recordingssic but making quite clear its relation- done to a turn. have inspired that sort of enthusiasm- ship to the string quartet Ravel com- Schubert's sprawling Fantasy in C his Tchaikovsky concerto and the pack- pletedahalf -dozenyearslater.In Majoris obviously much closerto age of concerted novelties by Beethoven Kremer's heart than the Schubert con- and Schubert on Deutsche Grammo- certed pieces in the aforementioned DG phon were rather disappointing to me- collection. The side this work occupies but his debut with Philips is an espe- GIDON KREMER. Ravel: So- would be treasurable enough simply for cially happy occasion. There are two nate Posthume.Satie:Choses the big, beautiful tone the violinist dis- discs-one made up of twentieth-cen- Vues d Droite et d Gauche (sans plays, but there is a great deal more tury works by French and Russian Lunettes).Milhaud: LePrin- than surface luster to compel the listen- composers, the other bringing some sur- temps. Stravinsky: Duo Concer- er to return. There is, first of all, taste: prises by Beethoven and his contempo- tant. Prokofiev: Sonata for Violin Solo, Op.115. Gidon Kremer the Kremers seem to sense just how far raries-and they also represent, as far (violin); Elena Kremer (piano). to go in indulging the lyrical and dra- as I know, Kremer's first Western re- PHILIPS 9500 912 $9.98, ©7300 matic elements. There is an unfailing cordings in the company of his pianist 912 $9.98. sense of proportion as well as utterly wife Elena. The cover photographs and, Schubertian momentum and vivid give- even more, the performances suggest GIDON KREMER.Schubert: and-take between violinist and pianist that the two Kremers selected pieces Fantasy in C Major, Op. 159 (D. to sustain it. I don't think either Johan- they themselves especially love and en- 934). F. X. W. Mozart: Grand na Martzy and Jean Antonietti, in their Sonata in E Major, Op. 19. Bee- joy. All four sides fairly brim over with unforgettable Schubert series, or David affection and enthusiasm for the mu- thoven: Variations on "Se vuol ballare" (WoO 40). Gidon Kre- Oistrakh and Frieda Bauer, wonderful sic-and beautiful playing on the part mer (violin); Elena Kremer (pi- as their performances were, brought of both participants. ano).PHILIPS 9500 904 $9.98, the Fantasy to life quite as successfully Actually, the Franco-Russian pack- Co 7300 904 $9.98. as the Kremers do. (What a delightful age is not entirely twentieth-century. indulgence, though, to listen to all three One of its major attractions is the one - recordings seriatim!) movement sonata Ravel composed in The rest of the Viennese package is 1897, thirty years before he completed Stravinsky's DuoConcertantthey man- less imposing, but enjoyable enough on the violin sonata we all know. This work age to make both the flinty and the lyr- its own level-with, asI've already was not performed in public until Ger- ical sections more compelling thanI mentioned, a surprise or two for the lis- ald Tarack and Leon Pommers pre- can remember hearing them before, tener who thinks he's heard everything. sented it in the Ravel centenary recital and the unaccompanied sonata by Pro- The "Grand Sonata" in E Major by

PI "There is an unfailing sense of proportion as well as . . . vivid give-and-take. .

78 STEREO REVIEW Gidon and Elena Kremer (Photo courtesy of Philips Records) Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart (who, pecially appealing essence of freshness, as everyone seems so determined to onetelegraphed,moreover,bythe point out lately, may not have been thebrightly optimistic smile of lead singer great Wolfgang Amadeus' son after all, Kitty Haywood inthe cover photo. but possibly Franz Xaver Siissmayr's)These advance signals turned out to be isa pleasant, well -crafted piece, but perfectly accurate: from the very first hardly a memorable one, and the twen-listening, the album made a snug home ty -one -year -old Beethoven's variations for itself in that cushiony part of my on "Se vuol ballare" (from the Mo- psyche that responds to sweet, old-fash- zart's Marriage of Figaro) may be even ioned soul singing, particularly when it more forgettable. If the music itself isis served up by musicians like these, slight, however, it nonetheless provides four ladies who wouldn't touch a rare a frame for some exceptional musicbit of harmony with anything other making-andit'snottoolikelyto than tender loving care. create duplication problems for most News of Kitty and the Haywoods collectors. The recorded sound on both had missed me untilIreceived this, discs is splendidly focused and alive. their debut disc for Capitol, but I'm go- BEST OF THE MONTH -Richard Freed ing to make up for lost time fast. The RECENT SELECTIONS group is composed of three Haywood sisters-Kitty, Vivian, and Mary YOU MAY HAVE MISSED Ann-plus Vivian's daughter Cynthia "1 Cent" Harrell. The trio of sisters has CLASSICAL been active as back-up singers for many artists, including Aretha Franklin and O J. S. Bach: Goldberg Variations. ARCHIV 2533 425 The Latest from 'A thoroughly seasoned end mature reading by Trevor Pin Curtis Mayfield, and they have per- nock "(July) Kitty and the Haywoods: formed on numerous commercial jin- O J. S. Bach: The Six Portage. ARABESOUE 65013 'A gles. Cynthia joined the Haywoods in sensational comeback recording by Joio Carlos Martins." Sweet, Old-fashioned, 1976, and the quartet recorded its first (June) album the next year. O Bartok: Plano Concertos Nos. 2 and 3. LONDON CS Get -down Soul Singing The women have tailored a personal 7167 "The partnershrp of Vladimir Ashkenazy and Sit Georg style using some of the now -traditional Solti is complete and electrifying "(July) tonalfabrics woven byr -&-b "girl O Corigeano: Clarinet Concerto. Barber: Third Essay lusr as it is possible to sniff out a real for Orchestra. NEW WORLD NW 309 "New creations that groups" over the years. The result is a magnificently celebrate the New York Philharmonic "(May) j stinker of a recording almost thewholesome "get -down" quality that is O Janitek: Glare& Mass. SUPRAPHON 1112 2698 G moment its protective shrink wrap ismost apparent on dance tunes like I "Personal, national, Indispensable "(August) slit, so can one pick up the heady scent Can't Wait for Your Love and the title O Rossini: L'Italiana in Alger,. RCA ARL3-3855 "A de- of a really special release. Take Capi- song, but they can also be coolly seduc- lightful comic totality springs to triumphant Me "(Jul) tol's new "Excuse Me, I've Got a Lifetive, as on You Are the Reason. Their O Stravinsky: The Rebid. LONDON LDR 10012 "A to Catch," for example. It exudes an es- main musical asset is the voice of Kitty must for the Stravinsky fan "(June)

O Wagner: Parallel. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 2741 002. "Outstandong singers end the grand line in a luminous, Left to right: Vivian, Kitty, Cynthia, and Mary Ann transparent recording "(August)

O Weber: Den Froischetz LONDON OSA 13136 "A lovingly conducted realization of a glorious score "(June)

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O Stanley Clarke and George Duke: The Clarke, Duke Project. EPIC FE 36918"A wonderful musical splash in some deep pop waters "(July) O Fleetwood Mac: Live WARNER BROS 2WB 3500 "All in all a hrstclass way to go "(May)

O Ellen Foley: Spilt o/ St Lot& EPIC 'CLEVELAND IN TERNATIONAL JE 36984"A most impressive album in the difficult cabaret genre "(July) O Emmylou Harris: Evangeline. WARNER BROS BSK 3508 "Awesome music making " (June) O Leo Kottke: Guitar Music. CHRYSALIS CHR 1328 "Kottke is at the top of his font; as both artist and producer - (August)

O Joan Redpath: The Songs of Robert Bum PYILO PH 1048"Mostly sweet, sometimes salty, simply wonderful " (June) O Carole Bayer Sager: Sometimes Late of Night BOARDWALK FW 37069 " amounts to a summation of the attitudes of the women of her generation "(August) O Phoebe Snow: Rock Away MIRAGE WTG 19297 'This album is a real charmer "(July) O Leon Ware: Rockin' You Eternally. ELEKTRA 6E-332 'A fine showcase fora line songwriter "(June)

80 Atthe Lincoln Center gala: Horne. Bonynge, Sutherland. and Pavarotti

Haywood, as bright and firmly reso- Sutherland, Home, and breathtaking display of be! canto vir- nant as that of a fire -baptized church tuosity coupled with disciplined musi- soprano, but tempered somewhat along Pavarotti: Dazzling cianship (when you hear it you'll prob- the edge in a way that makes it both ably want to join the audience in fren- distinctive and appealing. Vocal Virtuosity in the zied applause). Joan Sutherland con- The other three members are meticu- tributes a similar virtuosity in the ca- lously on target with their supporting Concert of the Century baletta from I Masnadieri and exhibits vocals, especially on Mystic Stranger astonishing ease and security in all her where they punch out the line "Don't scenes, including the one from Norma cha remembah" with enough persua- ACCORDINGto estimates by officials(in which Miss Horne appears as a lus- siveinsistencethatyou'llanswer at New York's Lincoln Center,cious -toned but perhaps too command- "Yeah!" even if you haven't the vaguest fully ten million of the nation's TV sets ing -sounding Adalgisa). If Miss Suth- idea what it is they want you to remem- were tuned in to the Public Television erland could only invest her singing ber. They are at their best in a gospel broadcast of the operatic gala featuring with more clarity to convey textual selection, Walter Hawkins' Holy One,Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horne, andmeaning and not just a generalized all majestic sweeps and swirls of reli- Luciano Pavarotti at Avery Fisher Hall mood! But we have all been waiting gious passion. The added female choir the night of March 23. That well -publi- forthatinvainsometwenty-five and abluesy-jazzy instrumental ar-cized event has now been documented years .... rangement together make this produc-by London Records in a set of two dig- You are not likely to hear elsewhere tion number a fittingly dramatic climaxital discs that may have a few draw- the kind of honeyed mezza-voce Lucia- to the album. backs but offers many compensatory no Pavarotti displays here in the music My nose may be quivering a mite thrills as well. of Otello, Manrico, and Enzo. In "Che prematurely, but ittells me that the There is first, alas, a great deal of ap- gelida manina," however, he is evident - sweet smell of success already sur-plause to contend with, fervent and at !y inclined to sing faster than conductor rounds Kitty and the Haywoods. times almost hysterical. For the home Richard Bonynge wishes the music to -Phy! Garland listener this will be something of an in-go, and his careless habit of rounding trusion on the musical experience-toooff phrases with gratuitous vowel end- KITTY AND THE HAYWOODS: Excuse bad, for it could easily have been edited ings ("Chi son(e), chi son(e)?") is again Me, I've Got a Life to Catch. Kitty and the out in some instances. But if you can in evidence. Haywoods (vocals); vocal and instrumental ignore tha: frequent annoyance, you Not all the musical selections are on accompaniment.ExcuseMe, I've Got a will doubtless enjoy three extraordinary an equally high plane. The Ernani trio Life to Catch; Mystic Stranger; Someone to Somebody; Sweet Taste of Honey; You Are singers in excellent form in a program(in which Miss Horne absurdly takes the Reason; Holy One; Can't Wait for Yourof more than usual interest. the part of the vengeful bass) is paced Love; it's Real; You Can't Say / Didn't Marilyn Horne's dazzling rendition rather mechanically by the conductor, Try.CAPITOL ST -12149 $8.98, 4XT- of "Mura felici" from Rossini's La and, some splendid vocalizing aside, the 12149 $8.98. Donna del Lago is the set's highlight, a Norma scene sounds tense (it was prob-

SEPTEMBER1981 81 ably under -rehearsed). All the same, Willfamed TV commentator Tessdone himself-in such numbers as / we are treated on these two discs to a Harding ever find happiness with car- Wrote the Bookand the title song-in luxuriant vocal display by three fabu- toonist husband Sam Craig? Can asupplying words of witty topicality for lously gifted singers who are generally pitcher of water dumped on Tess' headBacall to put over in her inimitable cha- well supported by a good orchestra and at the decisive moment bring the es-lumeau register.However, both the a dedicated conductor. The brief trio tranged couple back together? Thesetune and the lyrics ofOne of the Boys fromBeatrice di Tenda,given as an en- are some of the soapy questions posed("I'm one of the girls/ Who is one of the core at the concert but not televised, is a in the course of the Broadway musical boys ..."), the most exuberant item of recording first with these principals. Woman of the Year, based on the 1942the lot, sound as though they were bor- -George Jellinek movie starring Katharine Hepburn and rowedforthe occasion-something, Spencer Tracy. Scoffers may laugh atsay, Jerry Herman wrote for Carol SUTHERLAND/HORNE/PAVAROTTL the worn-out story line, but this old- Live from Lincoln Center.Verdi: Ernani: Channing or Angela Lansbury-the Grand Trio from the Finale to Act IV. I fashionedentertainment nonetheless formula isthatfamiliar. Harry Guardi- Masnadieri: Tu del mio Carlo. OreIlo: Gia furnishes a couple of hours of pleasantno, whose voice is an instrument a mite nella notte, Duet from Act I. II Trovatore: diversion, thanks largelytothein-more musical than Bacall's, has his in- Finale to Act IV. Bellini: Norma: Scena and domitable personality and wry deliverynings in the solid ballad Sometimes a Duet from Act I; Finale to Act I. Beatrice of Lauren Bacall, whose performanceDay Goes Byand inSo What Else Is di Tenda: Anglo! de pace. Puccini: La Bo- in the Barbara Waltersish title role wonNew?, his duet with Katz. heme: Che gelida Manina. Ponchielli: La her a Tony award this year as best ac- The high point of the score is another Gioconda: Trio from Act IV; Deh, non tur- tress in a musical. duet starring the heroine and her ex- bare, Duet from Act II. Rossini: La Donna On record, del Lago: Mura felici. Joan Sutherland (so- Woman of the Yearis al- mate's new, housewifely spouse prano); Marilyn Horne (mezzo-soprano); most more diverting than it is on stage,(played, with magnificent frumpiness, Luciano Pavarotti (tenor); Jake Gardner since playing time dictated that muchby Marilyn Cooper-who also walked (baritone, in 1/ Trovatore); New York City of the tedious plot argument be deleted.off with a Tony this year). It's called Opera Orchestra, Richard Bonynge cond. On the other hand, you don't get to seeTheGrass Is Always Greener,and it LONDON 0 LDR 72009 two discs $21.96, Tony Walton's stylish sets, the dazzlingsimply leaps off the record like the LDR5 72009 $21.96. Tony Charmoli dances, or the animatedshow -stopper it is. In all, a most lively

Eivind Harum, left, and Roderick Cook, right, with Lauren Bacall in the Kander/Ebb success Woman of the Year

The Award -winning cartoon cat (named Katz, naturally) affair, brisk, bright, and beautifully re- who rivals the human principals in corded to boot. -Paul Kresh Woman of the Year : plain personality. And since this is one of those musicals with a score tailor- WOMAN OF THE YEAR (John Kander- Brisk, Bright, and made for singers of (to put it kindly) Fred Ebb). Original -cast recording. Lauren limited range, the tunes are little moreBacall, Harry Guardino, Eivind Harum, Beautifully Recorded than strings of notes on which to hang Grace Keagy, Daren Kelly, Tom Avera, Rex Hays, Lawrence Raikin, Gerry Vichi, the pitter-patter of the lyrics. (Even so, MarilynCooper,RexEverhart,Jamie Tony awards went also to John Kander Ross, Roderick Cook (vocals); chorus and SHOLLD a woman of keen intellect and Fred Ebb for the score and to Peter orchestra, Donald Pippin cond. ARis-rA AL and impressive worldly accomplish- Stone for the book.) 8303 $9.98, © ACT 8303 $9.98, 0 A8T ments give up her career for marriage? And clever patter it is. Ebb has out- 8303 $9.98.

82 STEREO REVIEW S W Whyare youplaying low fidelity records on yourhigh fidelity system?

Send for our Our first four the tape to the lacquer. We use only imported virgin half -speed -re -mastered, Audiophile Master Editions. Teldec vinyl-one of the purest and re -processed, TAXI DRIVER.(Edition 2) most expensive vinyls made. Audiophile Master Edition' Bernard Herrmann's last film score, We employ a series of magnetic nominated for an Academy Award. filters to remove any stray foreign mate- of Rick Wakeman's Herrmann's fury (and his lyricism), his rials- the microscopic dirt particles "Journey to the genius at evoking fresh textures from that produce clicks and pops in the Centre of the Earth" the orchestra (and raw emotions from finished product. the audience) are clearly revealed. We keep the boilers that produce the and hear the music FRANKIE VALLI and THE steam that heats our vinyl impeccably you've been missing. 4 SEASONS."Reunited Live"(Edition clean; steam that is not clean can pro- This extraordinary recording of a live duce hot spots and cold spots on the die performance surges with on-stage -resulting in brush -fire noise and warp. immediacy. Volume I includes: "Who We inspect our dies frequently and Loves You; "Slip Away:' "December 1963 keep them highly polished, lest they (Oh What a Night)" "Rag Doll:' "Dawn" produce the familiar orange -peel effect and others. that causes rumble and freight -training 0 "BILLY THE KID" BALLET on playback. SUITE(Edition4) Aaron Copland con- We take at least twice the normal ducts the London Symphony Orchestra cycle time to cool our pressings, in his definitive composition. "Billy the preserving the integrity of the grooves.

Recordedin,,nn nrt u 11n, W.al1,-stnalliill Lnent.n1 Kid" never has been heard with more The result: Sweet Thunder. v Flidw.linuenISth N;INsith Il,.I .1.1,,,.Ssmphorn On h.4r vitality and insight. Backed with You hear more. More dynamic sod Engith.hwith,r toI knxIM4,1.1tem Pnnlunnon narrand Op I knn111,mnrn,-, Copland's "Statements for Orchestra': range, more spatial imaging, more highs, more midrange, more bass. And all Edition l The costly advantage of more cleanly. half -speed mastering. We think you'll hear-and value- Every Sweet Thunder Edition is pro- the difference. This compelling performance, cessed with state-of-the-art equipment The bottom line. recorded live at Royal Festival Hall with and techniques. We select high -quality the London Symphony Orchestra is master tapes, then re -master them at Each Sweet Thunder Audiophile now made even more extraordinary in half -speed on the finest audio equipment Master Edition will cost me These its Audiophile Master Edition by a new available today. Half -speed mastering limited editions are not available in perfection -oriented record company: allows us to put more information in the record or audio specialty stores, but Sweet Thunder. grooves. And computer controls provide may be ordered directly from us. using Re -mastered at half -speed from a more precise transfer of signal from Po the original A&M master tape and ************* 0

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Edition 1 Rick Wakeman, "Journey to the Centre of the Earth"

of the English Chamber Choir, the (Not available in Canada.) brilliance and authority of the London Edition 2 "Taxi Driver" sound track, Bernard Herrmann

Symphony brass section and the driving Edition 3 Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons, "Reunited Liver Volume 1 lines of Wakeman's synthesizers in a way Edition 4 "Billy the Kid:' Aaron Copland conducting the London

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I IKE politics of any kind, mu- ally does appeal to the young. ease on thatlabel,"French the Eastern United States with sicall politics requires a cer- Or perhaps they want to remind Flute Concertos " Rampal, who tain amount of the Chamber Orchestra of Nice, baby -kissing us that the original Pied Piper, has recorded for many compa- Wilson appeared at a number Irish flutist James Galway (left) who was a flutist, had the pow- nies, was autographing his lat- of U S. summer music festivals and French flutist Jean-Pierre er to influence and lead voters est CBS Masterworks album of including the one at Chatauqua, Rampal both posed for photo- of the future. sonatasbyMoschelesand New York, where he played graphs withthe youngest of In any case, both of these Schubert withpianistJohn Leonard Bernstein's their fans at recent (separate) latest candidatesfortheofficeof Steele Ritter composition, Halil for flute and album -signing sessionsata World's PremierFlutistwere Meanwhile,America's own strings.Wilson's latest Angel Sam Goody store in New York pushing recent albums Galway, front -running flutist Ransom Wil- record, which will be reviewed What are they trying to prove? an exclusive RCA artist, was son was on the hustings in the here next month, is "Pleasure Perhaps that classical music re- signing copies of his newest re- provinces. Following a tour of Songs for Flute." 0

A TIRELESS advocate of Amen - American -born soprano to per- 01 can as Leonore in Beethoven's Fi- music, theyoung form the role there She is the dello. On September 21, in Ex- American conductor Michael thirteenth Isolde in the history of xon's Great Performances se- Tilson Thomas has recorded the festival, and her most re- ries on PBS, she will be seen in all the music of Carl Ruggles for cent predecessors in the role a performance of Samuel Bar- CBS Masterworks In August he were Astrid Varnay, Birgit Nils- ber's Vanessa from the Spoleto recorded Charles Ives' Second son, and Caterina Ligendza, all FestivalinCharleston, South Symphony with the Concertge- of whom were born in Sweden. Carolina. 0 bouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, Miss Meier, a long-time member the first step in a cycle of all of the New York City Opera four Ives symphonies with that Company, has sung regularly CuFineNny available musical orchestra for CBS. Surprisingly, withtheMetropolitansince memorabiliaincludes this will not be the first integral a 1976. She sang Isolde for the 1943 medal of Beethoven new- set of the symphonies recorded first time in Mexico City in 1979 ly reissued by the state mint of by a European orchestra Har- and has since performed the France. On its face the medal old Farberman recorded all four role in Toronto, Cardiff (Wales), shows Beethoven composing with the New Philharmonia Or- Johanna Meier, who is sing- Venice, and Seattle at the piano while a spirit hand chestra of London, and those ing Isolde in VVagner's Tris- A nativeof Chicago, Miss is about to crown him with a performances are still available tan and Isolde at the Bayreuth Meier will make her debut with wreath of oak and olive leaves. on Vanguard Festival this summer, is the first Lyric Opera of Chicago this fall The reverse shows the corn - 84 STEREO REVIEW poser's piano and a pastoral Aaron Copland's Lincoln Por- scenesymbolizingtheSixth trait, and the narrator he chose Symphony. Measuring 50 milli- was his mentor's widow, Ellen meters in diameter, the medal is Fiedler i availableinsterlingsilverfor Kunzel is well known to col- $261 and in bronze for $26.50 lectors of audiophile recordings from International Government for his Telarc digital recording Trading Corporation, 575 Madi- of Tchaikovsky's1812 Over- son Avenue, New York, N.Y. ture with the Cincinnati Sym- 10022. phony Orchestra, and Telarc The Ricordi-La Scala series has just brought out Kunzel's ofoperaposters(reproduc- recordingofGershwin's An tions of turn -of -the -century American in Paris and Rhapso- postersforTosca, Madama dy in Blue with the Cincinnati Butterfly,Parsifal, etc.)has Symphony and pianist Eugene been expanded to include such List. Due in September on the items as a 1930 poster for the Vox Cum Laude label is a digital Folies-Bergere, cabaret singer recording(D-VCL9006)by Van Cliburn, his mother Rildia Bee Cliburn, Mistinguettat the Casino de Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Andre -Michel Schub, and New York Mayor Edward Koch Paris, and the American debut of Offenbach's Gai?e Parisienne of Anna Pavlova and her Ballet and Meyerbeer's Patineurs. 0 Brooklyn, where he attended Schub's next performances RussePrices. $8 and $15 A public schools, and that he con- inhis home townwilloccur color brochure is available for siders the many cultural treas- when he heads the roster of so- $2 (refundable with the first or- N 1958, when pianist Van Ch- ures of the city among his per- loists with the Santa Fe Cham- der)fromFiestaArts,Inc., i burn returned from Mcscow sonal rescurces. ber Music Festival duringits Greenvale, N.Y 11548. 0 where he had won first prize in "Growing upin New York week-long residency atAlice the Tchaikovsky Competition, was one of the most important Tully Hall at Lincoln Center (Au- he was treated as a national influences on my musical devel- gust29 -September3) With CONDUCTOR Erich Kunzel has hero. This summer, wher New opment," he continued, "be- such colleagues as violinists Ani been appointed music di- York pianist Andr6-Michel cause here I was able to attend and IdaKavafian andviolist rectorofthe San Francisco Schubreturnedfrom Fort frequent concerts by such great Walter Trampler. Schub will per- Pops Orchestra founded by the Worth, Texas, where he had pianists as Van Cliburn and Ar- form chamber works by Dvo- lateArthurFiedlerin 1931 won first prize in the Sixth Van thur Rubinstein. Winning the Cli- i$k, Mozart, and Schumann His Fiedler encouraged Kunzel to Cliburn International Piano burn Competition was exciting performancesthencan be go into the pops field and fre- Competition, he was given simi- inmany ways. One ofthe heard not only by hisfellow quently invited him to appear as lar treatment as a home -town greatest thrills came in the Dal- New Yorkers, but by anyone guest conductor with the pops boy who made good,and las airport when I saw a front- within range of a station in the orchestrasof San Francisco Mayor Edward Koch put on a page storyinthe New York National Public Radio network, and Boston. For his first con- reception for him at City Hall. Times headlined 'New Yorker which will broadcast the concert in his San Francisco post Visibly moved by the honor, Wins Piano Contest' and real- certs live by satellite Check lo- on July 8, Kunzel programmed Schub said that he grew up in ized the story was about me." cal stations for time - W.L.

Disc and Tape Reviews By RICHARD FREED DAVID HALL GEORGE JELLINEK PAUL KRESH STODDARD LINCOLN ERIC SALZMAN 0 = stereo cassette = digital -master recording = quadraphonic disc = eight -track stereo cartridge 0 = direct -to -disc (2) = monophonic recording The first listing is the one reviewed: other formats. if available.

might almost have come from a Marx spective parts but show the sort of give-and- RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT Brothers or Chaplin film score. The second take that would suggest they grew up to- ALKAN:Sonate de Concert for Cello and movement, with the peculiarly Alkanesque gether loving this work. The sound is very Piano, Op. 47.Yehuda Hanani (cello); Ed- marking"A/legrettino,"is less a scherzo in good without in any way calving attention to ward Auer (piano).FINNADARSR 9030 any ordinary sense than a Mahlerish fanta- itself, and there is unusually enlightening $7.98. sy. (The sonata was introduced in Paris in and entertaining annotation by Raymond 1857, three years before Mahler was born.) Lewenthal, who is rightly credited as one of PerformanceLuminous Contrasting with the suspended -animation the prime movers in getting Alkan's music Recording Very good lnnigkeitof the slow movement is the suc- once again before the public. R.F. How does one begin to describe, let alone ceedingFinale alla Saltarella,a dozen reactto,this sprawling, witty, poignant times more demonically freewheeling than ARNOLD:GuitarConcerto, Op. 67. work? Charles -Valentin Alkan's designat- Alkan'sSaltare/lefor solo piano recorded BROL WER: Concerto for Guitar and Small ing it aSonate de Concertseems at odds by Bernard Ringeissen on MHS 1344. Lis- Orchestra. JohnWilliams (guitar); London with the intense, heart -stopping intimacy of tening to this work is something like a mu- Sinforietta, Elgar Howarth cond. CBS M its slow movement, over which he inscribed sical confrontation with the Circus of Dr. 36680. © MT 36680, no list price. a passage from the book of Micah: ". . . as Lao, leaving one amused, touched, at times PerformanceSkillful a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon almost a little frightened, but most of all Recording Excellent the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor eager to repeat the experience. Yehuda Ha- waiteth for the sons of man." On the other nani and Edward Auer not only give lumi- Malcolm Arnold's imaginatively conceived, hand, the first movement's principal theme nously beautiful performances of their re- meticulously executed Guitar Concerto,

SEPTEMBER1981 85 published in 1961, managed not only to release the classical guitar from the prison of IVO POGORELICH is a young (twenty-three) (many of my colleagues were not), and I Spanish clichés in which it had so long lan- Yugoslavian pianist who was a contest- still find many of his recorded performances guished but set it singing in a twentieth- antinthe 1980 Chopin Competition in convincing if quixotic. On the other hand, century English accent-there's even a pas- Warsaw. Despite achieving great populari- we have apparently ceased hearing from sage in which, for a few piquant moments, it ty with the Polish audiences, especially the Nyiregyhazi. sings the blues. Despite some experimental younger members, Pogorelich did not make With Pogorelich I am not convinced. touches, the work is conservative in form, the finals. Martha Argerich, who was one of Yes, his dynamic range is great-excessive- though there isn't a dull moment in it.It the judges, resigned in protest. Ultimately, ly so,I would think; not every piece is the was written for Julian Bream, but it gets Pogorelich was awarded a special prize for Liszt Sonata. Whatever new fingerings or devoted and skillful treatment here from "exceptionallyoriginalpianistictalent," techniques he may have devised, Ihear John Williams, Elgar Howarth, and the but the "scandal" had started. nothing that smacks of Prokofiev, Ravel, or London Sinfonietta. The same forces also The pianist, whose personal appearance Rachmaninoff, and let me add that, in the prove equal to the more difficult concerto has been described as "a cross between Os- context, I'm just as happy not to. Rather by the Havana -born Leo Brouwer, whose car Wilde and Sid Vicious," but who somethan offering a new and deeper Chopin, work is decidedly experimental, mingling how brings to my mind the name of Prince Pogorelich seems to be to be giving us some- the rhythms of the country songs of Cuba with the avant-garde influences of such composers as Cage, Ives, and Nono. Some of the writing is reputedly aleatory, but the work as a whole isfirmly outlined and makes an arresting impression. P.K. BARTOK: Allegro Barbaro; Fifteen Hun- garian Peasant Songs; Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op. 20; Three Folk Songs from the Csik District; Quatre Nenies, Op. 9a; Esquisses, Op. 9b. Zoltan Kocsis (piano). PHILIPS 9500 876 $9.98, 0 7300 876 $9.98. Performance. Stylish, appealing Recording Close, present This record leads off with a mushy, good - taste performance of the infamous Allegro Barbaro. It is the same piece that was once ripped off by the pop -rock trio Emerson, Lake, and Palmer; it has also been battered to death by more than one generation of classical pianists. I can understand a pianist wanting to avoid for a change the usual punch -it -out, wild -man style, but, alas, the piece really doesn't have much else going for it. Never mind. This is the wrong piece inthe wrong performance inthe wrong place.It gives no clue to the interest and excellence of the rest of the album, which is in fact dedicated to Bart6k's early path as a Orlovsky from Fledermaus, has convinced thing naïve and parochial, interpretations collector, arranger, and inspiree of Eastern himself, and some parts of the world, that based on less of an understanding of theEuropean (not just Hungarian) folk music. he has created a new and deeper style of music, not more. I won't say that it's impos- The music here ranges from simple set- Chopin interpretation. Reportedly, he has sible for a twenty -three -year -old to under- tings dating from the first few years of the little use for most practitioners of the "old cut a hundred years of tradition, but I don't century to the much more modernistic and style." He claims to use a much greater think he has done it. composed Improvisations of1920. The range of dynamics than is customary as well On the stage Pogorelich has certain man- poeticNenies(Elegies)andEsquisses as techniques developed in the twentieth nerisms which, happily, cannot be conveyed (Sketches) of 1910 are only peripherally century by Prokofiev, Ravel, and Rachman- by records. What one gets from the very connected with actual folk songs, but the inoff-in short, afuller employment of nicely recorded DG disc are some technical- spirit of East Europe is everywhere present. pianisticresourcesforthepurposeof ly very well assured, very clean perform- It is surprising that this music is not better greater contrast and a deeper explication of ances with a lot of odd tempos and overdone known. It is most effectively played here by the contradictory elements of the music. (I dynamics, alotof throwaway phrasing, the Hungarian pianist Zoltan Kocsis. His hope Ihave stated his position fairly.) He some exceedingly beautiful passages, and performances, full of presence, have won- has enormously impressed some very seri- the feeling of everything not quite coming derful style and feeling. The odd corners of ous musicians and received some very wild together. Itis an interesting record (some the Bartok piano literature are, it turns out, reviews, and now Deutsche Grammophon will find it infuriating) and Pogorelich is an well worth looking into. E.S. has released a recording of some of his Cho- interesting artist. But boy, is he young. pin performances. -James Goodfriend Musicians who come along (and periodi- RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT cally they do) with such out -of -the -ordinary CHOPIN: Sonata No. 2, in B -flat Minor, BARTOK: Violin Concerto No. 2. Peter Za- claimsandexcessive -soundingbuildups Op. 35; Prelude in C -sharp Minor, Op. 45;zofsky (violin); Orchestre National de Bel- present a particular critical problem: itis Scherzo in C -sharp Minor, Op. 39; Noc- gique, Georges Octors cond. DEUTSCHE difficult to be neutral. One is either predis- turne in E -flat Major, Op. 55, No. 2; Etude GRAMMOPHON CONCOURS 2535 012 posed in favor of their arguments or faintly in F Major. Op. 10, No. 8; Etude in A -flat $6.98. antagonisticbecauseofthem,feelings Major, Op. 10, No. 10; Etude in G -sharp brought on not by the playing but by the Minor, Op. 25, No. 6. Ivo Pogorelich (pi- Performance. Brilliant publicity. I found myself convinced by the ano). DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 2531 346 Recording. Fine live Job odd claims of the elderly Ervin Nyiregyhazi $9.98, © 3301 346 $9.98. Bartok's 1938 Violin Concerto is the most complex and subtle of his works with or - (Continued on page 88)

86 STEREO REVIEW How doyoubuilda cassettedeck likea24 -track professional recorder? Build the 24 -track first.

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Professional standards in io (-nts. chestra. Beginning with the very first Yehu- Compared with the rough-hewn, sinewy diMenuhin/Antal Dorati collaboration, approach espoused by Menuhin and Dorati RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT done with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra or the more sensuous treatment favored by BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5, in E - just after World War 11, this score has nev- Zukerman and Mehta, Zazofsky and his Rat Major, Op. 73 ("Emperor"). Rudolf er lacked for distinguished readings on disc. excellent Belgian conductor, Georges Oc- Serkin (piano); Boston Symphony Orches- The recent recordings by Itzhak Perlman tors, lean toward the former, but they by no tra,Seiji Ozawa cond. TELARC O DG - and Andre Previn on Angel and Pinchas means slight the score's coloristic elements. 10065 $17.98. Zukerman and Zubin Mehta on CBS are Considering that the recording was done notable for a transcendent virtuosity on the live before an audience, which makes itself Performance Classical -humanist part of both soloist and orchestra that ena- evident chiefly by rustling and intake of Recording Perfect imagery ble the listener to give all his attention to breath after the spellbinding interpretation Nearly twenty years have passed since Ru- the music itself. This newest version is from of the slow movement, the sound is remark- dolf Serkin last essayed the Emperor Con- a 1980 performance by the second -prize ably well focused and amply spacious. At certo for records, at that time with Leonard winner of the Queen Elizabeth Competi- the $6.98 list price for Deutsche Grammo- Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic. tion, Boston -born Peter Zazofsky, and it is phon's new Concours series featuring young His pianistic and interpretive prowess is un- right up there in the same league as the artists,Iwould ratethisdisca "best diminished inthis digitally mastered re- Perlman and Zukerman records. buy." D.H. cording made in Boston's Symphony Hall just a few weeks shy of his seventy-seventh birthday. True, there are one or two awk- wardly negotiated tricky spots in the finale, but they do not detract from Serkin's over- LIGHTWEIGHT HEADPHONES. all achievement. The Serkin/Ozawa collaboration empha- sizes the deeply human and expressive as- HEAVYWEIGHT pect of the Emperor rather than the proto- Lisztian facets that performers often seize upon. This is not a low-key treatment, but TECHNOLOGY. here, more than in many other performances, the slow movement becomes the true DT 550 heart of the work and not merely an exquisite intermezzo separating two brilliant display vehicles. Musically Serkin's is a wholly fulfillingreading,and Ozawa andhis players are at one with the soloist's lofty conception of the work. Sonically, the recording ranks with the best of Telarc's achievements in Cleveland's Masonic Auditorium. Symphony Hall in Boston is a notoriously tricky place in which to record, and I was aware here of its reverberation and colorististic content-but never uncomfortably so. What I especially appreciated was the fine capture of the sound of a piano that is beautifully voiced and even from top to bottom. The piano -orches- DT 880 tra balance is a model of its kind. Placing the microphones so as to leave ample sonic space around both the orchestra and the solo instrument has allowed the digital technology to display itself to the best possible advantage. The result is well worth the pre- DT 330 mium price tag. D.H.

Imagine headphones so light you RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT hardly know they're there. with a frequency range so wide you never BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 23, in F miss a note. And imagine what it took Minor, Op. 57 ("Appassionata"); Piano to create such headphones- heavyweight Sonata No. 26, in E -flat Major, Op. 8Ia technology that distinguishes Beyer from ("Les Adieux"); Polonaise in C Major, Op. the rest. 89. Emanuel Ax (piano). RCA ARLI-2752 A copper coil .9mm thick and one-third $9.98, ARKI-2752 $9.98. the weight of conventional headphone coils. Performance: Honest A polycarborate plastic diaphragm so light. Recording: Good; chock pressing rigid and rare it is found only in the world's best mics. It is viscous damped and statistically These are superb, strongly felt, brilliantly embossed so it is absolutely perfect for trans- played,no-nonsenseperformances. For mitting sound. Imagine using rare samarium Emanuel Ax everything isin the phrase, cobalt magnets, the strongest material known. and he shapes the color, dynamics, accent, And Imagine headphones that will simply over- and rhythmic articulation around it. There whelm you with bass response and a transparency is no lingering here, no soft sighs in the of sound unheard of except in the finest transducers. moonlight. The slowmovements ("an- But you don't have to imagine. Just visit your dante," remember, means "going," "mov- dealer and try on our new heavyweight ing along") flow right along. But everything line of lightweight headphones. There is moves-a singing, flowing, articulated, dra- BeyerN something better from Beyer. matic motion thatisby turns exciting, tense, and exhilarating. The Polonaise in C BEYER DYNAMIC, INC. Dynamic Major, Op. 89, written and played for the 5-05 Burns Avenue. Hicksville. NY 11801 1516)935-8000 In Canada. H. Roy Gray. Ltd. Russian Empress Elisabeth Alexievna, is a curiosity. It is a bit flashy for Beethoven: an

88 STEREO REVIEW odd salon encore to the epic pieces that pre- very first rank and an interpreter of high and the mighty offbeat accents in the or- cede it. gifts. The rapport between Barenboim and chestra come olf just as one always hopes The piano sound is generally good, but conductor Zubin Mehta here is complete, they will. The slow movement is meltingly thereis occasional distortion-a buzz or and they have produced a strikingly satisfy- lovely; Barenboim achieves a highly dra- fuzz on the edge of the tone-that may de- ing realization of this most heroic of the Ro- matic contrast by treating the early pages in rive from the individual pressing. E.S. mantic piano concertos. Their conception of a leisurely,ruminativefashion,which the work is definitely on a grand scale. Bar- makes the central recitative very exciting enboim does not hesitate to give his roman- indeed. The finalpages are done most RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT tic impulses full rein in the soloist's big en- touchingly. Instead of being a lightweight BEETHOVEN: Sonata in A Major for Vio- try following the orchestral exposition in the affair, the finale is accorded strong lyrical lin and Piano, Op. 47 ("Kreutzer"); Sonata first movement, but his performance is still emphasis, and Mehta makes the most of the in F Major for Violin and Piano, Op. 24 well disciplined. His attention to accents gypsy aspect. The performance leaves one ("Spring"). Wilhelm Kempff (piano); Ye- withinaphraseissingularlyeffective exhilarated. hudi Menuhin (violin). DEUTSCHE GRAM- throughout, and the way in which he exe- The recordingisexcellent, large-scale MOPHON 2531300 $9.98, © 3301300 cutes such details adds to the dramatic im- and rich in sonic substance. Most impor- $9.98. pact of the whole. The great second move- tant, the solo piano is not stuck in your ear (Continued on page 92) Performance The best ment is as "appassionato" as one could ask, Recording. The best BEETHOVEN: Sonata in A Major for Vio- lin and Piano, Op. 47 ("Kreutzer"); Sonata in F Major for Violin and Piano, Op. 24The New Polk Audio ("Spring"). Danes Kovacs (violin); Mihaly Bucher (piano). HUNGAROTON SLPX 12279 $9.98 (from Qualiton Records, Ltd., RTA 12B 39-28 Crescent Street, Long Island City, N.Y. 11101). It looks like a $1500 speaker, it sounds like a $1500 PerformanceBrittle speaker, but it costs less than $500! Recording. Dry The new Polk Audio RTA 12B is a referenceaid of Polk's newly developed digital sampling - The basic difference between these two sets fast Fourier transform computer testing proce- of performances isin the relationships of monitor designed for the appreciative listener seeking the finest in sound. While most speak-dure. The RTA 12B, while costing less than $500 the artists. Wilhelm Kempff and Yehudi each, can be directly compared against the Menuhin are mature, well -seasoned per- ers which offer comparable sound to the RTA 12B are extremely expensive, the 12B offers$1500 each and up, super speakers. When you formers whose purpose is to play these Bee- superb sound and exceptional value at an af-do you'll hear many more similarities than dif- thoven works as they were intended, that is, fordable price. ferences. Use the reader service card for full as duets for two equal artists. No matter information on the new RTA 12B and our other who has the leading part or who the accom- The RTA 12B is a full floorstanding system which is supplied in mirror imaged pairs. It incorpo-similarly superb sounding speakers starting paniment in the constant shifting back and from lass than S125 each. forth, it is the projection of the musical ide- rates Polk trilaminate-polymer drivers, a dual al that governs their reading. Defies Kovacs isophase crossover network and 12"fluid Polk Audio, Inc. 1205 S Carey St., Baltimore, and Mihaly Bucher are fine performers too, coupled subwoofer. It was designed using the MD. 21230, 301 837-4300. but their reading gives the impression that they conceive of the music as sonatas for violin with piano accompaniment. Kovacs seems unwilling to take on the role of ac- companist, and his figurations intrude when the piano has the melodic interest. In general, the Kempff/Menuhin team takes slower tempos, which afford spaciousness and lyricism to their readings. The Kovics/Bacher team opts for quicker tempos, which give a pushy nervousness to the music, as is most obvious in the variations movement of the Kreutzer where the repeated notes, especially in the violin part, sound brittle and without line. Menuhin makes the same notes throb and never loses the line. Kovacs and Bucher turn out a capricious Spring Sonata while Kempff and Menuhin disclose its lyric quality. Also in favor of the Deutsche Grammophon disc is its superior sound. S.L.

BLOW:No,Lesbia,No, YouAsk in Vain (see PURCELL)

RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 2, in B -fiat Major, Op. 83. Daniel Barenboim (piano); New York Philharmonic, Zubin Mehta cond. CBS M 35885, © MT 35885, no list price. Performance: Impassioned Recording: Excellent For all Daniel Barenboim's activity as a conductor, he remains a solo pianist of the CIRCLE NO. 40 ON READER SERVICE CARD SEPTEMBER 1981 89 closing choruses (if, indeed, it was played at all),thespaced-omnimain -microphone technique gives a very slight "hole -in -the - middle" stereo image, and the hall ambiance is a little on the dry side. But Tel - arc's is still the best -sounding recording of Carmina. As a bonus, the fourth side of the set contains a smashing performance and `Four New recording of Hindemith's Symphonic Meta- morphosis of Themes by Weber. Carminas RCA's effort, like CBS', is a multimicro- phone production, but it takes a solid second place in this sweepstakes, proving that the number of microphones used is no sure indicator of final sonic quality. Missing only is a completely integrated sonic image in which performers and hall ambiance are intimate- ly related, and what image there is is also somewhat lacking in consistency of depth. RCA's recording is spread over only two sides, which, though well pressed (by the same firm as the Telarc), leave insufficient Le Charivari: room for the work's full dynamic range. miniature from the And I find the digital splices in the "Veni, fourteenth -century veni, venias" a bit too obvious. But Eduardo Roman de Fauvel. Mata's performance, which starts slowly and at other times seems a bit rushed, has an impressive cumulative impact. The vocal soloists are the best of all four recordings, IN recording Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, haps listeners then were more impressed by soprano Barbara Hendricks giving a partic- I a perennial audio demonstration piece, exotic sonic effects. The recent popularity ularly fresh -sounding impression. In short, producers have always faced a stimulating of simply microphoned, minimally mixed the RCA release is one of the best single - challenge: the preservation of Orff's calcu- recordings is an indication,Ihope, of the disc recordings of Carmina available today lated balances and contrasts among vocal public's disillusionment with such intrusive- (there are more than a dozen). soloists, three choruses, and a very full or- ly produced recordings as this one, in which chestra. It is not surprising, then, that Car - the listener, in the producer's words, "will TELARC supplies a new verse translation of mina's sonic variety and excitement have not find in the recording realistic consisten- the Carmina text. RCA reprints the often proved irresistible to would-be demonstra- cy in the deployment of performers from used Deutsche Grammophon translation, tors of the latest advances in recording tech- one section to another." The purpose may Mobile Fidelity provides my favorite trans- niques as well. have been "to provide the listener with a lation, that by William Mann, and CBS, Recently, no fewer than four recordings truly involving musical experience," but while promising a text on the jacket, deliv- of Carmina have been released (by Telarc, high fidelity as some of us prefer to know it ered, in my copy, only a pamphlet on the CBS Mastersound, Mobile Fidelity, and goes right out the window. Mastersound process. -David Ranada RCA), each embodying a different combi- That such "creative producing" is not nation of current high-technology recording necessary to provide an involving musical ORFF: Carmine Burana. Sheila Armstrong processes. Comparisons are more fruitful experience is amply demonstrated by the (soprano); Gerald English (tenor); Thomas than usual here, since two of the recordings new Telarc recording, which sets the sonic Allen (baritone); St. Clement Danes Gram- feature the same baritone soloist, two the standards for all future Carminas. Telarc mar School Boys Choir; London Symphony same soprano, two the same orchestra and used the minimalist microphone and pro- Orchestra and Chorus, Andre Previn cond. chorus. In addition, two have been half - duction techniques for which it has become MOBILEFIDELITY SOUND LAB MFSL speed -mastered from analog master tapes justly famous, and the recording is helped in 1-506, no list price. (CBS and Mobile Fidelity), two real -time - no small measure by being spread over mastered from digital originals (RCA and three sides. Cramming the sixty minutes of ORFF: Carmine Burana. Judith Blegen (so- Telarc), and three (all but CBS) are pre- a work like Carmina onto two record sides prano); Kenneth Riegel (tenor); Peter Bin- sented on imported pressings. usedtobeconsidered atechnological der (baritone); Cleveland Orchestra, Cho- Mobile Fidelity, of course, is in the busi- achievement, but what many listeners fail rus, and Boys Choir, Michael Tilson Thom- ness of remastering other people's record- to realize is that such crowding is accom- as cond. CBS MASTERSOUND HM 43172, ings. They have made some curious choices plished at the expense of dynamic range, no list price. in the past, and this is another. Why they high- and low -frequency response, and low chose Andre Previn's rather bland perform- noise levels. Played at realistic volume, the ORFF: Carmine Burana. Judith Blegen (so- ance and not particularly distinguished re- judiciously spaced grooves of the Telarc re- prano); William Brown (tenor); HAkan Ha- cording to send through their excellent disc cording are the only ones to emit a sound gegArd (baritone); Atlanta Boy Choir; At- processing, particularly when other choices that approaches the full acoustical impact lanta Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, might have been available, is beyond me. of a live performance. Robert Shaw cond. HINDEMITH: Sym- No amount of skillin remastering and The musical side of the project also de- phonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl pressing is ever going to pump life into a serves praise. The Atlanta Symphony Cho- Maria von Weber. Atlanta Symphony Or- listless, lackluster original. rus maintains impeccable ensemble while chestra, Robert Shaw cond. TELARC 0 DG Nor will technology bail out so manic a singing with sensitivity and spirit. Robert 10056/57 two discs $24.95. performance (and recording) as Michael Shaw's pacing is much more conventional Tilson Thomas' on the domestically well - than Thomas', but itis not dull like Pre - ORFF: Carmine Burana. Barbara Hen- pressed CBS Mastersound reissue. The rec- vin's. The solo singers are all fine. dricks (soprano); John Aler (tenor); HAkan ord was acclaimed for both performance There are, to be sure, a few nits to pick. HagegArd (baritone); Boys Choir of St. and recording quality when it was first is- The solo singers' microphones were placed Paul's Cathedral; London Symphony Or- sued at the height of the quadraphonic era too close and/or turned up a bit too high, chestra and Chorus, Eduardo Mata cond. (1975), but it now shows its age badly. Per- the tam -tam is inaudible in the opening and RCA 0 ATC1-3925 $15.98.

90 STEREO REVIEW The new song and dance about imported classical music. If you are already convinced of the superior quality of imported classical music.eliminate the percent -hungry middleperson and sell directly to you by mail. That's labels like Deutsche Grammophone. EMI, Philips, Telefunken, etc. you're going towhy our imported and famous label recordings often cost even less than their love this ad. If you're not, check out your stereo system. Classical music buffs (anddomestic counterparts. Now that you've heard the song and dance, get the real addicts) often pay dearly for the European connection: around $13 a disk, with fewthing: factory -fresh European name brands, pressed, printed and sturdily boxed in exceptions. Blue Angel is the exceptional connection because we buy large quan-Europe. All are Stereo unless indicated otherwise. And as many of these sets are tities of the best classical music there is directly from Europe.available for the first time in the U.S.A.. "not" prices are for comparison only. based on the suggested list price of comparable LP sets.

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Lucia Poppthe top interpreter of Chopin S71 only $59.99 ItN29422 Mal. etc Herbert vKaralan etc Long row of awards Tele,and this record is in big de cond Berlin Philharmonics. funken Decca 16 352301 Mademend Grand Prix ChopinPaganini: 8 Concertos for Vio EMI/Electrola 11C19702238/ in Germany Text GermanPhilips 167470171 Made inlie 8 Orch. With Salvatore Ac 40) Made in Germany Text Silver embossed clothbd box HollandText Eng 1Fr /Gercarclo who 'was able to read aGer 3LPs not S26 on, Karajan conducts Sympho. score even before he could v $1999 10129369 Ouantities are limited. Add $3 for post&hdlg VA vies. A mighty set of 28 Deu 15 LPs not $150 only 14 LPs not $125 onlyread or writeCharles Duloit residents add 4% sales tax. 10 day money back tsche Grammophone LPs he$913 99 0029.137 $59 99 0029157 London Phil. Top-qual Deut Klemperer Conducts Mozart.guarantee for unplayed records Berlin Philharmonics perform Gram (27401211 Made inComplete Cosi fan tulle. Beethoven 1.9. Boal,ms 1,4. Ger Text Ger/Eng/Fr/Oat Nozze di Figaro. Magic FluteFOREIGN ORDERS: Visa/MC, Intl money order 5 LPs not $50etc Sym No 25. 29.31. 33-41 Mendelssohn 15. Mo.rl32. cr cashier's check in U.S. funds only. Add 10°0 for 35 36. 38. 41. Schumann 1.4. only $39 99 11029470 etc etc Pholharmonia & New Tchaikovsky 1.6 Lavish Deu- Phil London Wind Ens. etcWI. $7 50 minimum tsche Grammophone edition.J.S. Bach: 6 Suites (Of ViolortJ.S. Bach: Complete Concer-Handel: Works for OrchestraEMI/Electrola (1C19753714/ 12720 1041 Made in German cello. Played by Pablo Canals tos for Harpsichord (cem8 Concertos. Complete Con38) Made in Ger. Text Ger ( )I have enclosed check/rioney order for $_ 6 booklets Eng /Fr /Ger 28Grand Prix du Disque Rarebolo). On the original incerti Gross, op 3 8 6 16 OrBLUE ANGEL EXCLUSIVE (.allow 3 weeks for personal checks). (I Send it

1 gay Concertos Water Music 05 in 6 volume boxes in historical mono recording strumenls by Concentus Mo * C 0 D I will pay add. post & here's $10 as a slipcase ..... EMI/Dacapo (1C14700892/4) sinus and Leonhard) Con-Royal Fireworks Music for deposit Made in Germany Text Ger sort IA new gem for the seem-Ballet Oboe cone etc Acad-25 LP5 only $95 99 111029500 28 LPs not 3 LPs nor $30 onlyingly insatiable Original Inemy of StMartin. con N I I Chargeitto my I) MC 1 I Visa (fast $280 only S189 99 11029590 519 99 II0295 1I strument lovers amongst ourMarrone, Telefunken/DeccaMozart: Complete Piano Con friends IBeautiful Tele(6 35381) Made in Germany cartes. Daniel Barenboirn celivery!) Carmine Butane: 33 SongsJ.S. Bach On the Original In. funkervDas Alle Werk editionText Ger the English Chamber Orch from the Orig. Manuscript eastruments. Collegium Areum16 350491 Made in Ger Txtbk *11 LPs not $98 onlyCited as being a masterworkCard# 1300. Fore fore fore fathersplays Brandenburg Concer-Eng /Fr /Ger Edison Award 575 99 11029436 by a Still young interpreter 5 LPs not $50 EMI/Electrola 11C197522491 music Early Music Quartettos 1-6 8 Overtures 1.4. as Exp Sign. Very very rare TelefunkervDasperformed in the 18th cen on', S29 99 111129524 Handel: 18 Concerti for Or.60) Made in Germany Text elle Werk (6353191 Made intury Sought af ter EMI/Har gen & Orch. Lionel Rogg onEng /Ger Ger Text Latin/Eng/Ger * monia Mundi 11C197530001 Bach: Complete Organ Woks.the organ of St Michel. Fine 12 LPs not 5107 2 LPs only 519 99 0029294 Made in Germany Text GerLionel Rogg. Considered byEMItElectrolailC16314051/541 only 54999 01129231 Name (print) 4 LPs not S40 onlyGrammophone Mag to be theMade in Ger Text Eng /Ger Plainsong: An Anthology ofS19 99 IIN29510 ultimate collection EMI/Elec. 4 LPs not S40 onlyMozart Symphonies 1.41. Ben' Gregorian Chant Per- !rola (1C19714101/201 MadeS19 99 10129248 lin Phil cord by Karl BoehmAddress formed by Plainsong Choir in Germany Text Ger Deutsche Gramme, (27200441 of the Capella Antigua Mu.Jacques Loussier Play Bach...... The Best Piano Concertos.Made in Germany Text Eng nich Fabulous Textbook in Loussoer finally tracked 20 LPs not $179Beethoven 03. 4. 5MozartFr /Ger City State Zip Latin/Eng/Ger/Fr Precise MPSdown the swinging commononly $799911029300 *8. 20. 21. 23. 26. 27 Chopin 5 LPs not $134 on Metronome 188010 41 Madedenominator between bar 1.2 Groeg Op 16 Schumannly S95 99 01129397 in Germany 4 LPsoque music and Jazz(RheinBach: Brandenburg Comer.Op 54 Brahms 1. 2 Liszt I. Telephone (just in case) SFlio not $40 only $24 99 IIN29461 ische Post DuesseldAll 5tos 1.8 On the ono rostrum2 Tchai 01 Racesel. 2. 4 Mozart: Complete Violin Con- Play Bach LPs freshly pres,with ong orchestration Con.Ravel. etc Barenbom. Arraucertos. Bath Festival Orch Y I Please send me your catalogue Mozart idomeneo. Nicolaussed by TelefunkenDecca centus Musicus. Harnoncourt Weissenberg. RichteretcMenuhin cond & plays EMI' Harnoncourt DIGITAL Tele301151 Made in GermanyGrand Prix du Disgue TeleEMI/ElectrolalIC19753690941Electrola (IC15352341144, funken 16 355471 Made in Ger A BLUE ANGEL EXCLUSIVE funkervDas Atte Werk 16350431 Made in Ger Text Ger Made in Germany Text Ge, Blue Angel. Inc. 1738 Allied St. 4 LPs not $4392 5 LPs not $39 90Made in Ger Text Eng 'Ger cm ..... 4 LPs not 535 Only S34 99 11029584 only 525 99 0032101 2 LP5 S17 99 11029205 15 LPs only $65 99 IIII29505 S19 9911029347 Charlottesville. VA 22901 CIRCLE NO. 7 ON READER SERVICE CARD SEPTEMBER 1981 91 but allowed to emerge naturally from the pens on the disc, but it was unquestionably aspects of the performance. Although Sol - orchestral fabric. There are, of course, at a sobering experience and could well ac- ti's rhythmic control in the scherzo and em- least a half -dozen outstanding available re- count-by itself-for the sobriety of the phasis on contrasting elements are brilliant- corded versions of the Brahms B -flat, but performance. ly effective, I'm at a loss to understand why this new one certainly belongs in that select The Bruch is something else again. Al- he would begin the slow movement at a company. D.H. most needless to say,itisviolinistically pace somewhat faster than Karajan's rather stunning, but itis also a wonderfully con- stately one, then slacken the pulse in its lat- BROUWER: Concerto for Guitar and Small vincing performance-convincing us that er pages. It seems to me that in this music a Orchestra (see ARNOLD) this really is one of the big concertos of the rock -steady pulse throughout works best. repertoire and not an apology for Brahms' But what really is missing here is the sense BRUCH: Violin Concerto No. 1, in G Mi- not having written a second one. The or- of mystery and dramatic suspense that in- nor, Op. 26. MENDELSSOHN: Violin Con- chestral collaboration is splendid, the fire forms almost every moment of Karajan's certo in E Minor, Op. 64. Shlomo Mintz obviously having spread from soloist to con- 1977 Deutsche Grammophon recording. (violin);Chicago Symphony Orchestra, ductor and ensemble and back again, and The London sound is superbly detailed, if Claudio Abbado cond. DEUTSCHE GRAM- the recording is good enough so that one rather too close-up in ambiance for my MOPHON 2531304 $9.98, © 3301304 pays no attention to it as recording. It's a taste.I prefer the acoustic perspective DG $9.98. great one-half of a record, and the Mendels- gave Karajan, even though the recording Performance Good to superb sohn is certainly not bad. has less punch and clarity at the lower end Recording Fine -James Goodfriend of the tonal spectrum than the new London discs, especially in the double -bass fugal en- Shlomo Mintz has given us here an abso- BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 5, in B -.flattries in the finale. D. H . lutely superb account of the Bruch concerto Major. Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir and afullyprofessional, adequate, but Georg Solti cond. LONDON 0 LDR 10031 DVORAK: Symphony No. 9, in E Minor, hardly thrilling one of the Mendelssohn. two discs $21.96. Op. 95 (From the New World"). St. Louis This might lead one (it led me) to surmise Performance Lacks mystique SymphonyOrchestra,LeonardSlatkin that he had the temperamental affinity for cond. TELARC 0 DG -I0053 $17.98. one but not for the other. The truth, as Recording Impressive dynamics Mintz very casually mentioned to me, is dif- Of the Bruckner symphonies that have been Performance Straight ferent. The Bruch was recorded after a se- aptly characterized as "sound cathedrals" Recording Full-bodied ries of live performances by the same forces; (the others are Nos. 7, 8, and 9), the Fifth is DVORAK: Symphony No. 9, in E Minor, the Mendelssohn was not, being a walk - in many respects the most difficult to bring Op. 95 ("From the New World"). Philhar- into -the -studio -and -play job. Beyond that, off in performance. Listening to Sir Georg monia Orchestra, Andrew Davis cond. CBS as the violinist said, he had just gotten part Solti's digitally mastered reading with his M 35834, © MT 35834, no list price. way into the first movement when his violin formidable Chicago Symphony, I was im- came apart in his hands, ending up one pressed by the overall sonic impact-espe- PerformanceNicely inflected piece in each hand. He finished the session cially in the finale, which Solti holds to- Recording A bit thin -sounding with someone else's fiddle.I won't say that gether aswellas any and better than With more than thirty currently available you can hear the moment where this hap- most-but I have reservations about other recordings of the New World Symphony, The pursuit of excellence... Shelf Conscious? Now you can organize your copies of Stereo Review Now your magazines can be a handsome addition to your decor, well organized, and easy to find, thanks to these durable library -quality cases or binders. They're made of luxurylook leatherette over high -quality binders board. And both styles are custom -designed for this or any magazine you save. with size, color, and imprint selected by the publisher. FREE transfer foil included for marking dates and volumes. Magazine binders hold a year's issues on individual snap -in rods, combining them into one volume. 57.95 each: 3 for 522.50; 6 for $42.95. 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CIRCLE NO. 38 ON READER SERVICE CARD 92 STEREO REVIEW there is surely one for every possible taste: the rich sentiment of Rostropovich, the German -ViennesetouchofBohm,the Czech volatility of Kubelik-you name it. Neither of these two new recordings offers enough of a new slant musically to rank it among the top contenders. Leonard Slatkin does have Telarc's full-blown digital tape mastering going for him, but Ifind in his rather "straight" reading very little of the intensity of phrasing and rhythm achieved by, say, Toscanini in his 1953 recording. Andrew Davis and thePhilharmonia treat us to a reading notable for felicity of detail, especiallyinthe woodwinds. The first movement lacks the exposition repeat that Slatkin retains but is nevertheless superior in terms of subtle tempo modifica- tions, which keep the music from being merely hectoring. The largo is done with tender loving care, but the scherzo is a high point here, not only by virtue of marvelous woodwind playing, but also because of the ravishing lilt Davis brings to the sousedska dance episode in the trio. What keeps this disc out of the top category is the recorded sound, which is rather thin. D.H.

GERSHWIN:Rhapsody in Blue (Version for Two Pianos); Piano Concerto in F (Ver- sion for Two Pianos).Katia and Marielle Labeque (pianos). PHILIPS 9500 917 $9.98, © 7300 917 $9.98.

Performance. Fine but not right sophisticated-and whatever problems they twentieth-century composers: his music is Recording. Generally very good may have with Gershwin should not obscure not meant to be played as A is written. The Labique sisters are a first-rate two -pi- that fact. The problems derive from the al- Thcugh not jazz, both the Rhapsody and ano team-technically assured, musically most unique situation of Gershwin among the Concerto are based on jazz elements

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SEPTEMBER 1981 93 French accent, not the home -town stuff, and though the record reportedly sold over don's Vienna Urtext Edition) and the Sona- 60,000 copies in France before its release ta in E -flat Major (Hob. XVI:49, Lancon here, 60,000 Frenchmen can be wrong. No. 59), dated June I, 1790, but apparently -James Goodfriend actually composed the previous year. Both of these sonatas were high points in HAYDN:Symphony No. 100, in G Major Haydn's production, and both are extreme- ("Military"); Symphony No. 103, in E -fiat ly forward -looking in their almost unprece- Major ("Drum Roll").Mostly Mozart Festi- dented depth and expressiveness. H. C. valOrchestra, Johannes Somary cond. Robbins Landon has described the C Minor VANGUARD 0 VA -25007 $12.98. as the "single but monumental contribution to the Sturm and Drang movement" in all Performance. Good of Haydn's keyboard output, a work of Recording Excellent

"power and ultimately . . . profound The Military Symphony performance on pessimism." In the E -flat we hear almost this release made its first appearance last literal pre -echoes of Beethoven and Schu- year with digital- and analog -master re- bert. But what makes these sonatas so strik- cordings of it being coupled back to back. In ing is not so much their anticipation of later my review of that disc (October 1980),I composers' music as what they themselves noted that "The recording locale, the Ma- contain, and no other performances known sonic Temple on 23rd Street in New York to me have made this so dramatically clear City, has an ideal acoustic ambiance for the as Brendel's. I can, in fact, think of no other modest -size Mostly Mozart Festival Or- item in his by now very large discograp-ly chestra, and in consequence the presence, that offers such stimulating revelation or reverberation characteristic, and coloration such exceptional all-round pleasure as this are just right." Interpretively,I found the disc. reading of the Military elegant but a bit lacking in character. I'm happy to say that BRENDEL does not attempt to turn this the Drum Roll on this new issue has a lot musicintoBeethoven or Schubert but more going for it. There is elegance indeed, seems determined that all of Haydn's own but also verve, and there are some fine points be registeredinfull. A Classical things in the slow movement, notably the poise and elegant sense of proportion temp- oboe descant episode and some lovely solo- 'Brendels er the power-as in the writing itself, which violin work. The excellence of the room is at once subtle and direct. Haydn's origi- acoustic combined with the digital master- cHaydn nality and profundity (a profundity not ing works wonders with the textures of the without humor) perhaps ought not to sur- menuetto middle section and with the epi- prise us by now, but such qualities can never sodes of closely woven imitation in the fi- be taken for granted, and in Brendel's vital nale. A fine recording job throughout. WHILE there is a lot to be said (and a lot yet impeccable realizations they seem self - D.H. being said) for the idea of perform- renewing and self -expanding. The piano ing the piano music of Mozart, Haydn, Bee- sound is just about ideal in terms of realism thoven, and Schubert on instruments of the and focus. A determined nit-picker might RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT composers' own times, there is an interest- wish only thatPhilips,having commis- KREISLER:La Precieuse (In the Style of ing counter -argument to support the use of sioned so distinguished a Haydn scholar as Couperin); Sicilian and Rigaudon (In the a modern concert grand: namely, that these Jens Peter Larsen to annotate the album, Style of Francoeur); Aubade Provencele; composers were not inhibited or delimited had been able to allow more space for h_s Menuet (In the Style of Porpora); Toy Sol- by the range and character of the instru- text than the trilingual format permits. dier's March; Scherzo (In the Style of Dit- ments available to them but conceived their Even though we are barely two-thirds of the tersdoraSyncopation.CHAMINADE/ works for some ideal keyboard of the future. way through 1981, I expect this to be my KREISLER:Serenade Espagnole.LEHAR/ This view is given powerful support in a piano record of the year. -Richard Freed KREISLER:Frasquita Serenade.PADER- Philips release of Alfred Brendel's first re- EWSKI/KREISLER:Melody,Op. 16. cording of Haydn's music for piano solo, in- HAYDN:Piano Sonata in C Minor (Hob. TCHAIKOVSKY/KREISLER: Andante cludingunusually large-scale-andun- XVI:20, Landon No. 33); Piano Sonata inCantabile; Chansons sans Paroles.DVO- usually convincing-performances of the E -flat Major (Hob. XVI:49, Landon No. RAK/KREISLER:Slavonic Dance No. 1, in earlyish (1771) Sonata in C Minor (Hob. 59).Alfred Brendel (piano). PHILIPS 9500 G Minor.PAGANINI/KREISLER:Ca- XVI:20, No. 33 in the late Christa Lan - 774 $9.98, © 7300 862 $9.98. priceNo.20.GRAINGER/KREISLER: Molly on the Shore.ltzhak Perlman (violin); Samuel Sanders (piano). ANGEL SZ- 37630 $9.98, 4Z5-37630 $9.98. Performance Excellent and the jazz style of a certain day, and the we feel it a little differently. What is neces- Recording. Excellent rhythms of the piece were meant to be sary to perform this music well is instinct KREISLER:Toy Soldier's March; Berceuse played originally as a jazz -oriented mu- and familiarity with the jazz idiom, so that Romantique, Op. 9; French Song; Liebes- sician of that time would feel them. So, if the way you play any passage is the direct freud; Tambourin Chinois, Op. 3; Recitativo you play the music straight, you miss the result of the way you played the previous and Scherzo Caprice; Scholl Rosmarin; point entirely. passage. You simply have to feel it because Liebesleid; Polichinelle; Episode; Aucassin The Labeque sisters are by no means the listener familiar with the idiom can feel et Nicolette; Romance, Op. 4; Rondino on naive enough to do that. But there is a fur- whether you're doing it right or wrong. a Theme by Beethoven.Takako Nishizaki ther problem. Rhythmic perceptions and The Labeque sisters give us the results of (violin); Monique Duphil (piano). CAMER- feelings change over the years-and very a careful study of the score, of research into ATA CMT-1501 $11.98. quickly in jazz and American popular mu- Gershwin's own recordings, and of an asso- sic. And so, anyone who tries to copy exact- ciation with such contemporary jazz -in- Performance Very good ly Gershwin's own rhythmic interpreta- fluenced musicians as John McLaughlin of Recording Excellent tion-even allowing that one could do it- the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Theirs are in- What a unique phenomenon Fritz Kreisler will produce a performance that sounds cu- telligent and perfectly listenable interpreta- was!-a true Fiedelkavalier, a knight of the riously dated and unidiomatic to modern tions, but they come from outside the idiom. fiddle, who wrote for the instrument with a ears. We still feel the jazz in the music, but What it is is very objective Gershwin with a caressing love that was reflected in his own 94 STEREO REVIEW playing. No wonderallviolinistsplay Kreisler, and, because they usually play him well, there is always a responsive public for him, a public that looks for style and not substance, that longs to be charmed and lulled into Kreisler's bygone world of elegance and enchantment. His legacy of violin pieces is enormous: the Angel release is already the third such collection from Itz- hak Perlman, and the insert that accompan- ies Takako Nishizaki's release (which is called "Fritz Kreisler Edition, Vol.1") hints at a complete series of Kreisleriana. There are twenty-eight pieces on these two discs and only one duplication: the tiny Toy Soldier's March. A glance over the titles conjures up the image of Kreisler the constant traveler, either back into the historical past to recapture the style of such forebears as Couperin, Francoeur, or Dit- tersdorf, or around the globe to evoke the moods and landscape of Spain or Provence or China-or Jazz Age America (Syncopa- tion). The vignettes are invariably tasteful, the ethnic suggestions always appropriate, even though the traveler never seems to stray too far from his native Vienna. Perlman's admirable way with this music has been displayed in previous recitals: his tone is sumptuous but his touch is light. He knows when to be playful and when to display the kind of sweet sentimentality inher- ent in music of a period that should not be reinterpretedincooler twentieth-century terms. Listening to his playing we can almost see the violinist's own enjoyment. Takako Nishizaki (Japan- and Juilliard- trained)mixes somebasic"Viennese" Kreisler with concert pieces that are more ambitious yet ultimately less significant. They are written with Kreisler's characteristic elegant craftsmanship but lack enough musical interest to sustain their length. Epi- sode reveals some Lisztian flourishes, and Berceuse Romantique suggests Faure on a Viennese sojourn. The Romance, Op. 4, another novelty, is pretty but unmemorable. The violinist displays a sweet tone and a Why It's Such great deal of communicative charm. Her technique is impressive, but there are a few lapses in the chordal passages, so vital in A Rare Bird Kreisler's writing. Furthermore, her phrasing and accentuations in Liebesfreud and Wild Turkeys are masters SchOn Rosmarin are at variance with the Kreisler models. of camouflage and evasion. Both violinists are ably accompanied, and both discs are engineered with exceptional A large flock of birds will lie presence and clarity. G.J. quietly within yards of a MAHLER:Symphony No. 4, in G Major. Margaret Marshall (soprano); Scottish Na- man passing through the tional Orchestra, Sir Alexander Gibson cond. CHANDOS O ABRD 1025 $17.98, 0 forest, and never be seen. ABRT 1025 $17.98. Performance: Bright-eyed The Wild Turkey is Recording: Spacious truly a native bird, unique RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT to America. And it is the MAHLER:Symphony No. 4 in G Major. Elsie Morison (soprano); Bavarian Radio unique symbol of the Symphony Orchestra, Rafael Kubelik cond. DEUTSCHE G RA M MOPHON RESONANCE greatest native whiskey in 2535 119 $6.98, © 3335 119 $6.98. Performance: Affectionate America-Wild Turkey. Recording: Very good The Scottish National Orchestra has never sounded better on records than it does in Sir WILD TURKEYx/ 101 PROOF / 8 YEARS OLD Austin, Nkbols Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg. Kentucky 0 IND

SEPTEMBER 1981 95 INTERNATIONAL Alexander Gibson's bright-eyed, straight- C CONSUMERS CO. RECORD & TAPE CLUB forward account of the Mahler Fourth. The TAPES - DISCOUNTS - STEREO SUPER SALE playing is so handsome, indeed, as to re- Min. Order - 10 Audio or 5 Video Tapes or assorted mind us that this orchestra numbers among I its former conductors such men as Barbirol- cliVTOK ON ALL RECORDS & TAPES SAC -90 2.99 DC. 45 1.09 Ii, Szell, and the late Walter Susskind, all of SAC.60 2.19 DC 60 1.19 LOWEST PRICES ANYWHERE ADC.60 1.66 DC -90 1.67 whom came to be closely identified with ADC90 2.39 DC -120 2.19 OD C-60 2.98 DC180 3.15 List Sale List Sale Mahler's music. Margaret Marshall isa OD C.90 3.49 Demagtzr 14.50 very appealing soloist, and the fine digital SAX C-60 3.89 Head Clnr 1.49 Price Price Price Price SAX C.90 4.79 VHSVIDEO recording is as spacious and true as one MA C-90 6.59 VT.120 4 hr. 14.49 3.98 2.49 7.98 4.95 could ask. A most enjoyable record. MAR C90 12.45 VT90 3hr. 13.95 4.98 3.09 8.985.59 Turning to the reissued Rafael Kubelik SONY Fourth, however, one feels at once con- Metal C.60 5.95 EHF C90 2.69 5.98 3.69 9.986.19 Metal C90 7.49 ENE C.60 1.69 fronted by a more specifically Mahlerish FECR C-90 2.89 LNX C-90 1.65 6.98 4.34 10.986.79 presence, enveloped, one might say, in an FECR c.60 2.49 LNX C.60 1.15 VIDEOBETA L 500 10.69L750 13.75 L-83015.95 TO COMPUTE COST TAKE unlabored intimacy. Kubelik has never been given to interpretive excess or indulgence; BASF TOTAL OF LIST PRICES & his tempos in the Fourth (as in most of his PROM C.90 2.95 PRO I C.90 2.79 PRO lit C-60 2.29 PRO I C-60 2.19 DEDUCT 38% Mahler) are brisker, steadier, and more PRO II C-90 2.89 PERF. C60 1.29 PRO II C.60 2.29 PERF. C.90 1.89 flowing than those favored by many of his VIDEO DIRECT TO DISC, DIGITAL colleagues -very close to Gibson's, in fact. VHS T120 14.29 1.500 10.25 15% DISCOUNT The difference between them manifests itself in the form of subtle rubato, in the sort INFLATION FIGHTERS SANYO CAR STEREO TECHNICS USE OUR TOLL -FREE # of caressing of a phrase that never turns FT -2400 199.95 SA -203 !Icier 184.95 into a bear hug but whose affectionate poig- I FT20 142.95 RSAI225 Cass Dk 179.95 800 -331 -1750 -OPERATOR 588 FT30 179.95 SLD303Trntbl 125.95 nancy can't be missed. Elsie Morison (Mrs. FTC2 54.90 FTC4 64.50 SHURE CARTRIDGES SALE ENDS OCT. 10, 1981 Kubelik), in what was apparently her last FTC6 75.50 M 97 HE 53.99 FTC8 99.50 M 95 HE 34.99 ORDER NOW -SEND LIST TO: recording before her retirement, is a very FTC -12 109.90 EMPIRE CART'S FTC.16 147.90 2000 EBB 18.99 touching soloist, the orchestra is in splendid FT.482 115.90 400 TC 23.95 INT'L RECORD & TAPE CLUB form, and the late -Sixties sound is still quite DEPT. SR 588 MEMOREX MAXELL competitive. On Deutsche Grammophon's C90, 30 5 99 UDXL I or IIC-90 315 W. 36th Street 2.99 full -price label, Abbado (2530 966) and All merchandise fresh, manufacturer guaranteed. New York, N.Y. 10018 Karajan (2531 205) offer more sumptuous Phone Orders Call Toll Free 'Send check or M 0 or 'Charge to Visa or MC and somewhat more mystical views of the (800) 431-2932 State whether LP or Tape Add 95c for first LP or In N Y S Call VISA' Tape. 25c each additional LP or Tape. plus 50c Fourth, but not necessarily more convincing 1914) 884-2909 for insurance for entire order Max charge is ones.I am delighted to see Kubelik's dis- For prompt delivery, send M 0 . Cart Check or use Credit Card Person'l checks, 2 wk. dory. Shpg a hdlg Add 5" of total Ord., $495 tressingly underrated Mahler cycle reap- $350 minimum. NYS res. add sls I.No. C 0 D s Car, 'UPS if desired add $1.75 pearing bit by bit, and I look forward to the C CONSUMERS CO. SATISFACTION FULLY GUARANTEED Ninth. R. F . P.O.Boo 550 MIEMII Mt. Vernon, N.Y. 10551 CIRCLE NO. 11 ONREADERSERVICECARD MENDELSSOHN:Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64(see BRUCH) SEND FOR OUR NEW RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT NIELSEN:Five Piano Pieces, Op. 3; Sym- FREE 40 PAGE phonic Suite,Op. 8; Humoresque -Baga- telles, Op. 11; Festive Prelude; Chaconne, HI-FI DISCOUNT 3V101$1 Op. 32; Theme and Variations, Op. 40; Suite, Op. 45 ("Lucifer"); Piano Music for CATALOGNo. 60 CALL NOW Young and Grown-up, Op. 53; Three Piano Pieces, Op. 59; A Dream of "Silent Night"; (800) 638-8806 Piano Piece in C Major.Elisabeth Westen- Lowest prices HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANTREASONS holz(piano).Bts LP -167/8 twodiscs on audio $21.96 (from Qualiton Records, Ltd., 39-28 components! YOU'LL ENJOY DEALING WITH Crescent Street, Long Island City, N.Y. Fast service! International Hi Fi... 11101). Fully insured! * You pay the same pace many degas pay. Performance Strong In factory * More than 120,000 curdcmers ant to coast. You sealed save an our big -volume dtscounts. Recording Clean, bright cartons! * No mi. No.depmit phone orders shipped the same The late Arne Skjold Rasmussen, regarded day you call - COO a credit card. by his fellow Danes as a foremost interpret- * Doe 70 top name brands equipment most mad er of Carl Nielsen's piano music, did an in- order and discount dealers can't supply tegral recording for the Danish Fona labe. * 2 to 3 day delivery on most orders. * Shipments fully insured -full manufacture's warranty that found its way into a Vox Box (SVBX- up to 5 years 5449) over here in 1970. That set is regret- REPRODUCTIOfl,MI * Exclusne"nolemon" guarantee. Fullystaffed tably no longer available, but we can be (201) 227-6720 customer service department grateful to Sweden's Bis label for coming up CLIP & MAIL TODAY! * Seen audio advisesto asst theinexperienced with a new and equally meritorious one that is even more comprehensive, including as it does the composer's last completed compo- Sound Reproduction, Inc. - WRITE FOR: BROCHURE WITH PRICES AND LINES I 7 Industrial Rd., Fairfield, N.J. 07006 TIPS ON BUYING BY MAIL sition, the Piano Piece in C Major, and a INTERNATIONAL hitherto unknown vignette built around the I Please rush your free Hi-Fi Discount Catalog I first four notes of Silent Night. The ex- I Name_ HI-FI traordinarilygifted ElisabethWesten- DISTRIBUTORS holz-who, by the way, studied with Skjold I Address r, Moravia Center Rasmussen -has also recorded for Bis the Industrial Park, Dept S complete Nielsen organ works (LP -131). City . Baltimore, Maryland 21206 (Continued on page 99) State Zip

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BUSINESS REPLY CARD HERE'S HOW TO ORDER IRST CLASS Pt WIT #2 /34ii PHI LAVE LPHIA,PA. CHARGE ORDERS-for your convenience PHONE 24 HRS TOLL FREE 800-431-2731 NY POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY- STATE ONLY 800-942-1940 CASH mail your order along with your name address. and remittance in the amount of 58 95 1510 95 outside U S A 1 Residents of CA. CO, DC, FL, IL, MA. MI. MO. NY STATE, UT. and VT add applicable sales tax CHARGE your American Express. Visa. Master Charge. Stereo Review or Diners Club Account Mail your order with your name. address. credit card #. and expiration date (Master Charge customers include 4 -digit Interbank # above P.O. BOX 13878 your name). Be sure to include your signature PHILADELPHIA, PA. 19101 ORDER FROM TEST RECORD, Dept 30013. PO Box 278. Pratt Station. B'klyn. N Y 11205 Unlike theorgan works, which fall wholly into Nielsen's final creative period, the CamerasElectronicsAudioVideo piano music is divided between his youth and his maturity. The Opp. 3, 8, II and the Festive Prelude are all from before the turn CLASSIC of the century, and of them only the Sym- SL -5800 phonic Suite, Op. 8, with its proto-Busonian Up to 20 Ms. * accents, offers a glimpse of the master to BEETHOVEN recording time BETASCAN picture be. The Festive Prelude is a brief ceremon- search ial piece meant to usher in the new century; Freeze Frame 14 Day Program the others are agreeable and occasionally Two New PCM Full Remote Control striking miniatures. With the Op. 32 Cha- *with AG 300 stack conne and the great Op. 40 Theme and Digital Releases loader (optional) Variations we are in the presence of the ON SALE FOR ONLY composer of the Fourth Symphony and the from ,1039 opera Saul andDavid.The Op. 45 Piano DENON OTHER GREAT VIDEO BUYS Suite was dedicated to Artur Schnabel but RCA VIDEO RECORDER $619 never played by him; although the "Lucif- PANASONIC PV -3200 PORTABLE VHS $849 er" subtitle was intended by the composer PANASONIC PORTABLE COLOR CAMERA $649 to have Promethean rather than Satanic RCA SELECTAVISION 450 $809 PIONEER VIDEO DISC CALL significance, the very brilliant and demanding music contains an element of the de- VIDEO TAPE SPECIALS monic like that in the Fifth Symphony and VHS 7-120(6MR) 12 95 BETA -L 500 9.25 RCA VK-250 13 95 BETA -L 750 11.95 the Clarinet Concerto. This demonic ele- PANA T-120 13 95BETA -L 830 16.50 ment seems even more present in the final pages of the Op. 59 pieces, wherein Nielsen EROICA STAATSKAPilal .1= SONY ICF-2001 also explores the possibilities of "pantonali- MULTI -BAND RECEIVER ty." The twenty-five pieces of Op. 53, to AM/FM portable which the valedictory Piano Piece in C is SWL (Short Ware Listener) akin, are beautifully crafted teaching pieces World-wide band coverage Sleep timer after the fashion of those by Bela Bartok; AC/Battery/Car lopl,ona,) but, of course, Bartok's teaching pieces are DISCOUNT CATALOG. 1 00 WITH THIS AD very Bartokian and Nielsen's are equally Nielsenesque. 47th Street Photo Inc. Both the performance approach and the Symphony No. 3 67 West 47th St.Nvd York. N.Y. 10036 recorded sound of these readings by Elisa- 212-260-4410 "EROICA" OPEN SUNDAYS TOLL FREE OUT OF STATE bethWestenholzdiffermarkedlyfrom those by Skjold Rasmussen, and also from "...interpretively and sonically 800-221-7774 those on the earlier Danish Odeon discs by you can't go wrong..." CIRCLE NO. 23 ON READER SERVICE CARD Herman D. Koppel. In the big works the -STEREO REVIEW "flint and steel" aspect of the music here comes to the fore; nowhere is there any attempt to soften the rugged contours of r""'",RENTA Nielsen's writing. The rather close piano pickup and bright sonics tend to emphasize IBLOCKBUSIERIthis, but there can be no question about the utter integrity of these interpretations. I MOUE FOR hope that these records will help bring the big Carl Nielsen piano works into the per- 990A DAY manent concert repertoire, where they so IIf you've never rented a flick I richly deserve to be. D. H . from Fotomat, we'll give you $5 PURCELL: Come Ye Sons of Art; High on I off any one of our movies on a Throne of Glitt'ring Ore; 0 Dire Custos videocassette. Which means a Auriacae Domus; Incassum Lesbia, Incas - I5 -day rental will cost only $4.95, Isum Rogas. BLOW: No, Lesbia, No, You less than a buck a day. And you Ask inVain. Julianne Baird (soprano); Symphony No. 6 I can choose from over 300 titles.IJames Bowman, Peter Becker (counter- "PASTORALE" From Airplane! to Xanadu. So tenors); Wilbur Pauley (bass); New York I write for our free movie catalog Ensemble for Early Music's Grand Bande, The No. 1 classical album in I Frederick Renz cond.MUSICMASTERSMM Japan. Iand $5 -discount coupon. And 20005 $8.98, © 40005 $8.98. rent a blockbuster today! IWithout going bust. PerformanceFresh RecordingUnbalanced Both Eroica and Pastorale Send to: Fotomat, Dept. 3178, are performed by Otmar This is a disc devoted to music in honor of 14829 North Lindbergh, Queen Mary: we celebrate her birthday, Suitner and the Staatskapelle St. Louis, MO 63044. pay tribute to her as a beloved ruler, then Berlin. mourn her passing in three funeral odes. IName Purcell's mus:c is stunning inits courtly gestures, wit, and pathos, and the funeral I Address ode by John Blow, Purcell's teacher, is a I City particularly welcome addition to the cata- discwasher log.Listeners familiar with Blow's Ode PRODUCTS TO CARE FOR YOUR MUSIC I State Upon the Death of Mr. Henry Purcellor his 1407 NorthProvidence Road. Zip_ I masqueVenus and Adoniswill recognize Columbia. MO 65201 USA his technique in the wild, keening notes of A DIVISION OF JENSEN FOTOMAT DRIVE-THRU MOVIES despair inNo. Lesbia, No.Those who do an ESMARKCompany not already know Blow's work will discover CIRCLE NO. 22 ON READER SERVICE CARD SEPTEMBER 1981 99 Camerata 'Bern Plays the 6 -Mannheim School

THE music of the Mannheim School is Although Mannheim never produced a suave ensemble thatis quite devoted to more talked about than played, being Haydn or a Mozart, it did boast a group of playing this rarely heard but high -quality usually viewed as merely pre -Classical ex- highly talented composers whose music is music. -Stoddard Lincoln perimentation paving the way for the high well crafted, stunningly orchestrated, and Classical style of Haydn and Mozart. A de- spaciously proportioned. Filtz's cello con- THE MANNHEIM SCHOOL. Richter: lightful three -disc Deutsche Grammophon certo and Lebrun's oboe concerto, for exam- Sinfonia in B -flat Major; Flute Concerto in Archiv album remedies that situation con- ple, are among the finest works for their in- E Minor. J. Stamitz: Violin Concerto in C siderably by presenting a fine sampling of struments written in the Classical era and Major; Orchestral Trio in B -flat Major, Mannheim School symphonies and concer- ought to have entered the standard reper- Op. I, No. 5. Filtz: Cello Concerto in G Ma- tos that are far more than experiments. The toire long ago. jor. Holzbauer: Sinfonia Concertante in A program is well chosen and allows us to The Camerata of Bern is a handsome - Major: Sinfonia in E -flat Major, Op. 4, hear works by composers of the school's sounding outfit of about twenty-five musi- No. 3. Cannabich: Sinfonia Concertante in first generation (Johann Stamitz and Franz cians directed by concertmaster Thomas C Major; Sinfonia in B -flat Major. Lebrun: Xaver Richter), by some of that genera- Fiiri. Their playing is precise, and, though Oboe Concerto in D Minor. Aurale Nicolet tion'spupils (AntonFiltz,lgnaz Holz- they make very little of Classical articula- (flute);Heinz Holliger (oboe); Manfred bauer, and Christian Cannabich), and by a tion, their phrasing is neat and well molded. Sax (bassoon); Thomas Fiiri (violin); Chris- Mannheim -trained composer (Ludwig Au- The various soloists are all excellent and toph Schiller(viola); Thomas Demenga gust Lebrun) writing in the fully developed bring virtuosity and intelligence to their (cello); Camerata Bern, Thomas Rini cond. Classical style. readings. My overall impression is of a very Aaciiiv 2723 068 three discs $29.94.

in him a composer of passion and daring. TERSOUND 0 IM 36665, © HMT 36665, no like to hear more angularity, or, perhaps, Frederick Renz's ensemble isa brave list price. more spontaneity. The overallrecorded group that handles its period instruments sound is marvelous. G.J. with enthusiasm. While there are occasion- PerformanceIndividual Recording. Excellent al problems with intonation, ensemble, and ROSSINI/RESPIGHI: La Boutique Fan- balance, the overall effect is spirited and This is probably the most generous current tasque. Toronto Symphony, Andrew Davis lively. The singing, what with countertenors representation of Ravel songs on one disc, cond. CBS MASTERSOUND O IM 35842, © and the women's deliberately flat, white and it has much to commend it: subtle bal- HMT 35842, no list price. voices, sounds somewhat sexless.Renz's ancing of elements, fine instrumental per- own harpsichord realizations of the figured - formances, and, certainly, the many attrac- Performance Hard -ridden bass lines are rather too bland for the mu- tive qualities of Frederica von Stade's sing- Recording. Wide-ranging sic;I wish he had offered more arpeggia- ing-her musicianship, tonal purity, and id- A sophisticated if casual listener, hearing tions and "sprinkled" the chords a bit more iomatic handling of the texts. thestrains of La Boutique Fantasque, in the many declamatory passages. Still, There are a number of things, however, asked, "Slavic? A Russian ballet score? It this is a good and interesting release, one of that I miss here. A wider emotional and dy- has a French influence but it must be Rus- the first on Musicmasters, a new, sold -in - namic range is certainly called for, to say sian." La Boutique Fantasque was orches- storeslabel from the Musical Heritage nothing of more pronounced timbral con- trated by Respighi from Rossini's French - Society. S . L. trasts. To be more specific: the singer sug- period Sins of My Old Age for Diaghilev. gests the primitive elements in the Chan- But Russian? Well, Respighi studied with RAVEL: Sheherazade; Cinq Melodies Pop- sons Madecasses but fails to hint at the Rimsky-Korsakov. In fact, the more one lis- ulaires Grecques (excerpts); Deux Melodies fierceness in such a song as "Aoua!" In the tens and thinks about it, the more this score Hebraiques. Frederica von Stade (mezzo- Hebraic songs I miss the dimension of sounds like a tribute to the traditional Rus- soprano); Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sei- earthiness. Much of the singing has a beau- sian ballet. It is, of course, a delight. jiOzawa cond.Chansons Madicasses. tiful, almost hypnotic quality-Ravel's ex- Andrew Davis offers a lively and hard - Frederica von Stade (mezzo-soprano); Do - quisite sonorities tend to dull the senses- ridden performance that pushes constantly riot Anthony Dwyer (flute); Jules Eskind and I am by no means ungratefulfor for brilliance and dynamism. The Toronto (cello); Martin Katz (piano). CBS MAS- streams of beautiful sound. But at times I'd Symphony, not especially known as one of

100 STEREO REVIEW the first -rank North American ensembles, makes a virtuoso impression. The digital sound is exceptionally wide-ranging, and the disc shows off both the brilliance of the playing and the noisy quality of the vinyl to perfection. E.S.

VIVALDI:The Four Seasons.Yehudi Menuhin (violin); Camerata Lysy, Alberto Lysy cond. ANGEL 0 DS -37755 $10.98. Performance. Excellent r RecordingBright Not that we need another recording of The Seasons, but when another does manage to crowd its way into the catalog we are lucky if it is as good as this one. Except for a few upward slides between phrases, Yehudi Menuhin is stylistically in good form; his ornamentation, especially of the slow movement of Spring, is beautifully worked out. The Camerata Lysy of Gstaad, Switzer- land, an outgrowth of theInternational Menuhin Music Academy, is a fine group of enthusiastic young players who bring spontaneity and freshnesstothis work, which, despite the warhorse treatment it has suffered for years, will always retain its power and originality. S.L. PREVIN

COLLECTIONS ROSTROPOVICH NANCY ALLEN:A Celebration for Harp. Loeillet: Toccata.J. S.Bach: French Suite MEN No. 6, in E Major: Allemande and Cou- rante. Sonata No. 2, in A Minor, for Unac- MUTI companied Violin: Andante. D. Scarlatti: Sonata in E Major (Kk. 380); Sonata in Et - flat Major (Kk. 545); Sonata in A Major GIULINI (Kk. 2081; Sonata in A Major (Kk. 209). Francisque: Courante; Pavane; Bransles. Daquin: Le Coucou. Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet. Op. 64: Aubade. Prelude in C Ma- jor, Op. 12, No. 7. Respighi: Siciliana. Cou- perin: Les Barricades Mysterieuses. Nancy Allen (harp). ANGEL 0 DS -37334 $10.98, 4ZS-37334 $10.98. 45,11ItIntosh Performance. Fine RecordingLifelike STEREO CATALOG There is no reason,I suppose, for harpists not to help themselves, via transcriptions, to and FM DIRECTORY the vast repertoires of other instruments, as Get all the newest and latest informaticn on the new guitarists have done so effectively. Nancy McIntosh catalog. In addition you will receive an FM sta- Allen's first solo record, like most such col- tion directory that covers ail of North America. lections, is made up almost entirely of transcriptions, only the Prokofiev prelude being actually composed for the harp; all the rest were transcribed either by Allen herself or by the unforgettable Marcel Grandjany, who was one of her teachers. The performances are without exception on a very high o c0000 0 level, and their appeal is enhanced by the c lifelike digital recording. R.F.

WERNER HOLLWEG: Ballads. Schubert: ErlkOnig; Der Zwerg; Lodas Gespenst. McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. SR Loewe: Graf Eberstein; Harald. Schumann: East Side Station P.O. Box 96 Die Wandelnde Glocke: Die Feindlichen Binghamton, N.Y. 13904 Briider; Der Soldat; Belsazar; Die Beiden Grenadiere. Werner Hollweg (tenor); Ro- SEND manOrtner(piano). TELEFUNKEN NAME 6.42620 $11.98. ADDRESS Performance Expert TODAYI Recording Excellent CITY STATE ZIP Werner Hollweg's previous recorded appearances in operas and oratorios have al- If you are in a hurry for your catalog please send the coupon to McIntosh. ways shown him to be a singer of unspectac- For non rush service send the Reader Service Card to the magazine.

SEPTEMBER 1981 CIRCLE NO. 36 ON READER SERVICE CARD ular competence; here he strikes me as a su- goletta Che Non Sal. Negri: La Nizzarda. Hymn of the Republic. Mormon Taberna- perior lieder recitalist. The program he has Anon.: Spagnoletta; Pavaniglia; Va Pur cle Choir; Columbia Symphony Orchestra, chosen is anything but "commercial" inso- Superba Va. London Early Music Group, Jerold Ottley cond. CBS MASTERSOUND ao far as the American market is concerned, James Tyler cond. NONESUCH H-71392 IM 36661, © H MT 36661, no list price. and, in what appears to be a determined $5.98. gesture to sink the vessel by those who have Performance Ringing launched it, the poems have been printed Performance Delightful Recording Excellent Recording: Very good without English texts (Telefunken seems to There's nothing wrong with the Mormon be guilty of this more often than any other James Tyler has put together one of the Tabernacle Choir that a good program of company). most delightful -sounding early -music en- corn -free music couldn't cure, and this is It so happens that Hollweg's artistry is sembles to be heard today. A lutenist him- such a program. It's a little strange to hear least impressive in the two ballads that are self, he shows a preference for plucked in- passages from the choral works of Haydn, most familiar to international audiences. In struments by including a theorbo, mandora, Bach, and Schubert sung in English (only Erlkiinig he is overpowered by the pianist, guitar, harp, and harpsichord along with Mozart's Gloria in Excelsis Deo stays in and in Die Beiden Grenadiere his tones sim- the usual complement of strings and wirds. Latin), but Sullivan's Onward Christian ply lack the weight for the proper dramatic The sound of the full ensemble is utterly Soldiers was written in English and Men- utterance. But when it comes to virtuosic ravishing, as are the many smaller combi- delssohn was at home enough in our lan- handling of poetic texts, to clarity of dic- nations used for this disc. The use of the guage, so why not? The choir has never tion, to sensitive gradation of dynamics, early harp, in particular, lends a sensuous sounded more ravishing than in this digital Hollweg gives us a triumphant demonstra- quality to the sonority. recording of an all -religious concert, com- tion of the recitalist's art. His technique too The program here is well chosen, tracing plete with a fervid rendition of their public's is exceptional: Carl Loewe's witty,fast - the tune La Mantovana through its various favorite, Malotte's setting of The Lord's paced Graf Eberstein and the tricky vocal guises. This main thread is supplemented Prayer. Director Jerold Ottley gets clean, line of Schumann's Belsazar find in him an by other gems drawn from the popular mu- sturdy performances of everything. Even outstanding interpreter.I particularly wel- sic of Italy during the years of change from thetheatricaltreatment of The Battle come the two Loewe ballads (Hollweg gives the Renaissance style to the early Baroque. Hymn of the Republic, which begins off in an absorbing account of Harald too) since The performances are generally excellent the distance and sounds louder and closer as these excellent examples of German song and preserve the dance -like quality of the the troops advance, is more to be enjoyed literature are so difficult to come by. Schu- music. Paul Eliot's light tenor voice is per- than censured. P.K. bert's Lodas Gespenst, a narrative ballad fect in the three vocal selections; he man- nearly fourteen minutes in length, may, on ages the rhythmic dance style and the florid JOAN SUTHERLAND, MARILYN the other hand, be too much of a good style equally well, giving a masterly per- HORNE, AND LUCIANO PAVAROTTI: thing. formance of Rogniono's elaborately embel- Live from Lincoln Center (see Best of the All in all, this is not an album likely to be lished arrangement of Cypriano de Rore's Month, page 81) a best seller, but lieder fanciers should not Anchor Che Col Partire. Ian White's per- allow such a masterly recital to slip by. formance on the Baroque viola in Calvi's La 20TH CENTURY UKRAINIAN VIOLIN G.J. Bertazzina also deserves special mention for MUSIC. Lyatoshinsky: Sonata for Violin the rich sound and engaging ornamenta- and Piano, Op. 19. Kosenko: Two Pieces, GIDON AND ELENA KREMER: Works tion. I could go on pointing out the merits of Op. 4. Hrabovsky: Trio for Violin, Contra- for Violin and Piano (see Best of the Month, individual performers, but I will leave it to bass, and Piano. Stankovych: Triptych, "In page 78) listeners to judge for themselves. In any the Highlands." Eugene Gratovich (violin); case, this is a most attractive release. S.L. Virko Baley (piano); Bertram Turetzky RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT (contrabass, in Hrabovsky). ORION ORS MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR: The 79331 $8.98. LONDON EARLY MUSIC GROUP: La Power and the Glory. Haydn: Awake the Mantovana. Zannetti: La Mantovana; Aria Harp. J. S. Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desir- Performance Excellent del Gran Duca; Fuggi, Fuggi, Fuggi. Vec- ing; A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. Mo- Recording. Very good chi: So Ben Mi Chi Ha Bon Tempo. Calvi: zart: Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Schubert: Ave Let no one think this is a provincial produc- La Bertazzina. Banchieri: Sonata Sopra Maria. Handel: Hallelujah Chorus. Men- tion of provincial music. Eugene Gratovich l'Aria Musicale del Gran' Duca. Rore/ delssohn: Rise Up, Arise. Sullivan: Onward, and Virko Baley, both emigres from the Rogniono: Anchor Che Col Partire. Garsi: Christian Soldiers. Malotte: The Lord's Ukraine to this country, are first-class mu- La Lisfeltina. Farina: Pavana. Stefani: Par- Prayer. Trad. (arr. Wilhousky): The Battle sicians, as is also, of course, the well-known

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CIRCLE NO. 3 ON READER SERVICE CARD 102 STEREO REVIEW American bass player Bertram Turetzky. The music, ranging in date from 1919 to 1972, is all from the Soviet Ukraine, and it COME of Handel's most brilliant instru- is all well performed, nicely recorded, and mental writing is to be found in his very intelligently and interestingly anno- three Concerti a Due Cori, and they are to 8 be found on a thrilling new Philips release tated by Mr. Baley. Te Although the Ukraine is a distinct region bythe Academy ofSt.Martin -in -the - Fields. These works "for two choirs" are with a distinct Slavic population, culture, E and language, it has long been part of Rus- concertos in the sense that two solo groups, sia, and under the czars the indigenous cul- 8 each consisting of an oboe and two horns, ture was violently suppressed. The Soviet are pitted against a body of strings; they Ukraine has enjoyed a bit more autonomy, make the most of the possible antiphonal ef- but, at least from the outside, it has hardly fects together with sheer instrumental vir- been distinguishable from Soviet Russia. tuosity. The horn writing alone is enough to Victor Kosenko was a straightforward late make your spine tingle. The music repre- Romantic in the most traditional sense: the sents Handel at his most vital: broad French classic "provincial retardaire." But Boris overtures are followed by sparkling dance - Lyatoshinsky (1895-1968) was very much inspired movements and instrumental ar- in the European modernist mainstream, and rangements of choruses from Messiah, Se- his Op. 19 sonata is a strong, highly worked, mele. and Belshazzar. individual piece of atonal expressionism. Neville Marriner whips up the Academy For many years Lyatoshinsky headed the players into a frenzy of brilliance. Much de- Ukrainian Composers' Union and taught at pends on the work of the four horn soloists, the Kiev Conservatory, where one of his pu- and they fulfill their roles with a bravura pils, Leonid Hrabovsky, became a founder that would frighten the hide off Superfox. of the Kiev avant-garde, a young Soviet Don't miss this one. -Stoddard Lincoln group that broke decisively with the tradi- tionalist canons of Socialist realism. Hra- HANDEL: Concerti a Due Cori: No. 1, in bovsky's Trio for Violin, Contrabass, and B -Bat Major; No. 2, in F Major; No. 3, in F Piano, written in 1964 but later slightly re- Major. Academy of St.Martin -in -the - vised, was one of the first works to make Fields,NevilleMarriner cond.PHILIPS that break, and itis an effective and indi- 9500 756 $9.98, 7300 837 $9.98. vidual serialist piece. Yevhen Stankovych, another Lyatoshinsky pupil, was alsoin- fluenced by avant-garde developments. The work at hand, however, synthesizes folk elements into a post-Bart6k modernist style. All in all, an interesting off -beat record. Basch (trumpet); German Bach Soloists, Endler (ca. 1700-1762), is also the most in- E.S. Helmut Winschermann cond. PRO-ARTE teresting. Scored for trumpet, two horns, PAD -100 $10.98, © PCD- 100 $10.98. oboe, bassoon, timpani, and continuo, it produces a wild and prickly so- RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT Performance. Wonderful nority of disparate forces in keen competi- Recording: Thrilling VIRTUOSO TRUMPET CONCERTOS tion. The altitude of the clarino trumpet OF THE BAROQUE. Neruda: Concerto in Despite the album title, these concertos are passages is breathtaking. E -flat Major for Trumpet, Strings, and really not Baroque but pre -Classical. They Trumpeter Wolfgang Basch is a supreme Continuo. Endler: Concerto in F Major for are splendid representations of the work ofmaster of his instrument. Unlike Baroque Trumpet,Two Horns,Oboe,Bassoon, several mid -eighteenth -century masters trumpet players, who stayed in either the ThreeViolins.Timpani, and Continuo. who helped forge the new musical language principale (low) or clarino (high) register, Molter: Concerto No. 2, in D Major. for that found its ultimate expression in Vienna Basch plays in both with assurance and sen- Trumpet, Strings, and Continuo.Tele- during the last two decades of the century. sitivity. The German Bach Soloists offer mann: Concerto in D Major for Trumpet. The most obscure of the four pieces, that by sturdy support and bring vigor and sparkle Oboes, Strings, and Continuo. Wolfgang the German composer Johann Samuel to their ritornellos. S.L.

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CIRCLE NO. 0 ON READER SERVICE CARD SEPTEMBER 1981 103 Popular musk Briefs

0 accident. We couldn't find any- lyrics for a Rick Wakeman con- cr ber'scollaborationwithEliot one who would stage Jesus cept album based loosely on (1888-1965)."I'm thinkingof Christ, Superstar, but MCA in George Orwell's 1984. starting a relationship with Mo- England was willing to record it. Rice would also like to work zartmyself," he adds."I've At first the album didn't do very on the movie version of Evita. used that Mozart line as a joke well there, butitbecame an "Since it was my idea to do a a couple of times,but think enormous hitinthis country, show about Eva Per6n, I'd like about it. One could take four- and then it was easy to find to have a crack at writing the teenorfifteenofMozart's backing to produce it in the the- screenplay, and I'd like to be in- greatestmelodies andturn ater. We did the same thing with volved in casting, but writers of- them over to a brilliant orches- Evita and will do it again with ten lose control of their work trator Then it would be lyrics by our next show Making a re- when it's sold to the movies." Tim Rice, music by Wolfgang cording first has become our Rice and Webber's shows Amadeus Mozart! I'm beginning equivalentofan out-of-town have no dialogue, but consist of to like the sound of it." - W.L. tryout." music from beginning to end. Rice enjoys the trappings of This innovation dates from their success and says it's nice hav- earliestsuccessfulcollabora- ing the cash, but he adds that tion, the comic cantata Joseph success endangers one's hap- and the Amazing Technicolor N terms of commercial suc- piness."ElvisPresley'slast Dreamcoat. MCA has kept that I cess, the British team of lyri- years were tragic A writer is album (MCA 399) in the catalog cist Tim Rice(above) and not subjected to the same kind since1974,andthework, composer Andrew Lloyd of pressure an artist is, but suc- which has been performed all Webber probably has no rival cess can still make it difficult to across America, wilt go into an in the musical theater anywhere lead a normal life." Rice lives off-Broadway theater in Octo- in the world today Their first big with his wife and two children in ber."There'salwaysajolt show, Jesus Christ, Superstar, Oxfordshire and has just ac- when you shift from talk to mu- played for eight years in Lon- quired a house in London. A sic," Rice says, "and we solved don and was the longest -run- tall, husky man, he enjoys run- the problem of integrating the ning musical in the history of the ning a cricket team, and he has chat with the music by dispens- English theater, the two -disc al- a pop -music group that per- ing with the chat.itsuits our bumsold over six million forms for fun at parties. style." copies, more than any other re- "It's ludicrous that one Kevin Cronin, Gary Richrath cording made in Britain up to should have had such great THE new show Rice and Web- that time. Their current hit, Evi- success with only two shows- ber are working on now is AYEAR ago REO Speedwa- ta, now running in London, New that's what the song High Fly- about a female chess cham- gon was a decently suc- York, Chicago, Los Angeles, ing, Adored is about in Evita- pion from Eastern Earope who cessful mainstream rock band Madrid, Sydney (Australia), and butit'sdepressing too. Why defectstothe West butis with a mostly Midwestern fol-

Vienna, has grossed more than I shouldtry again if there's no- blackmailed back to her own lowing. Bound to the grind cir- $85 million since it opened in where togo from here but country. They hope to have the cuit,theytoured London three years ago, and secondary down? There's no financial rea- bulk of the work done by the markets and occasionally sold Paramount has just bought the son to work, but for me work is end of this year and to record it a few records, a pattern essen- movie rights. the only answer." To stay busy before the end of 1982. tially unchanged since they first We talked to Rice when he and maintain a semblance of a Webber has just had another escaped from rock clubs in Illi- was in New York this summer normal life, Rice works regularly big successinLondon with nois almost ten years ago. Last fora two -night standinthe as a broadcaster on radio and Cats, a musical setting of T S. 92nd Street YMHA's "Lyrics Christmas, however, they re- television. He has just produced Eliot's Old Possum's Book of leased their umpteenth album, and Lyricists" series, and he an album for Elaine Paige, the Practical Cats."It has made "Hi Infidelity" (Epic FE 36844), explained the method he and original London Evita, and for Andrew very hot. He's really the and became the overnight suc- Webber have devised ofre- her record he collaborated with Na-nero Uno composer among cess story of 1981. The album cording a show beforeit is Paul McCartney on one song, the Brits," says Rice, who in- is platinum several times over, staged. "We stumbled on it by Hot As Sun. He also provided sists he is not jealous of Web- hit singles are (in their words) 104 STEREO REVIEW "fallingoffthe record," and song,the PA blew up and lied their age but served to re- frivoloussurf -music they aresellingout stadium Gary's pants ripped . . ." vealthe concerts even in New York City. Richrath: ". . right in front roots of a lot of what passes for The question, of course, is of all my relatives, who range serious avant-garde rock these why? It should be emphasized fromveryreligioustovery days. . . Stand and Deliver, the new Adam and the Ants sin- that "Hi Infidelity," given the lim- loose . ." gle, is being packaged as a bo- itations of its genre (metal with Cronin:" . and another pop overtones) is a very pleas- time we played outdoorsin nus seven-inch addition for fu- ant record; in fact, as Top -40 Kansas City, at Royal Stadium, ture pressings of the group's al- fodder goes, it's much better which seatsabout 45,000 ready released debut album thanitneeds to be. But any people. We were getting mes- Meanwhile, Adam is pictured at claims that it is more substantial sages in the dressing room that left with legendary film director than MOR are ridiculous. And tornadoes were touching down John Huston, perhaps discuss- when I caught up with REO live two miles away When we got ing a remake of Treasure of the SierraMadre. DIRBroad- recently(inNashville) I was on stage, we had to stop every mildly astonished to see just couple of songs so the roadies John Huston, Adam casting's recent Rod Stewart how averagetheyare,an could sweep the water off the radio special had, according to anachronistic poodle band to stage. Then all the lights went GRACE NOTES Rolling Stone an ABC spokesperson,the highest ratings of any national the manner born (they end their outin the stadium. So I just Keith Richards, less than show with smoke bombs). stood there withaflashlight thrilled about the use ofhis FM broadcast since the rebirth name, is suing a New Jersey of national radio in the late Six- Afterthe show, I chatted over my head, and we finished briefly with Kevin Cronin and the show, and none of the kids record label over his billing on ties.DIR claims theStewart show "reached approximately Gary Richrath, respectively the left. I think that's the kind of reggae star Max Romeo's re- band's front man and lead gui- stuff that kind of endears you to cent album "Holding Out My nine million people that night, tarist (and its songwriting an audience." Love to You " Latest old- and tripledthe average audience for the more than 350 team). The pair proved to be Fine, Isaid. But still, why did time rockers on the comeback genuinelynice and down-to- you guys happen now, as op- trail are tne Ventures, the in- participating stations." And you earth, thoroughly unaware of posed to 1975? strumentalsurfcombo who were wondering why your local how out of step they are with "Because we're better song- gave us such hits as Walk Don'! FM rockerdoesn'tprogram fashion, and with an unshak- writers," Cronin replied. "I don't Run and tnat immortal paean tc more New Wave . It had to happenIt's Rock 'n' Roll, a able self-assurance about the think,five years ago, I could Jack Lord, Theme from Hawaii validity of what they're doing have written Keep On Loving Five 0.Glimpsed at Manhat- TV game snow centered (clearlyjustifiablegiventheir You 'the first big single from "Hi tan's Lone Star Café (they also around rock trivia, will make its current commercial success). Infidelity").Plus, we've gotten showed up at the trendy Pep syndicated bow this fall. Come- "We have a certain minimum better as producers. This time permintLounge), theband dian Richard Belzer, noted for standard of excellence that we out, we had a chance to really (original members all) put on a his impression of Bob Dylan at never go below," Cronin told rehearse the album before we powerful show that not only be seventy, will host. -S. S. me. "We always work our hard- did it, to really learn the songs.

est under any circumstances. I It used to be that nobody in the mean, there was a show we did bandexceptthesongwriter "This time we rehearsed the How has success affected the band? Cronin smiled. "This last yearinPeoria, whichis wouldreally know what the songs till we were blue in the Gary's home town, where si- songs were about, which is not face, but it was fun, the pre- IsSTEREO REVIEW,right? Well, multaneously during the second a good way to make records. production was like a party " now we all have stereos."-S.S.

Diic and Tape Review/ By CHRIS ALBERTSON IRV COHN NOEL COPPAGE PM LGARLAND PAUL KRESH PETER REILLY STEVE SIMELS JOEL VANCE

= stereo cassette 0 = digital -master recording = quadraphonic disc OO = eight -track stereo cartridge CD = direct -to -disc ®= monophonic recording The first listing is the one reviewed: other formats. if available, follow.

THE A'S:A Woman's Got the Power.The cern with Heart of America and Working Aid to Dependent Children) works up a full A's (vocals and instrumentals). Johnny Si- Man, and bombastic padding with Electric- head of steam dishing out heavy funk fare. lent; Little Mistakes; I Pretend She's You; ity and How Do You Live. Oddly enough, There s nothing racy or suggestive here, and Heart of America; When the Rebel Comes one cut works despite the hoopla. Little nothing that's especially clever, but the Home; and five others. Autism AL 9554 Mistakes, about a mismatched marriage, is group seems to be having a stomping good $8.98, © ATC 9554 $8.98, AT8 9554 not enough to save the album, but it sug- time. They do better on the uptempo num- $8.98. gests what it might have been. J. V. bers, such as Brother Luck and Celebrate, than on the ballads (in Waiting for You Performance: Okay ADC BAND:Brother Luck.ADC Band some of the singers seem to be in a different Recording: Okay (vocalsand instrumentals).Celebrate; key than the others). This is a good party The A's tend to holler and twang instead of Waiting for You; Super Freak; and five record, fun for fun's sake, but the ADC sing and play, and their producers have others. COTILLION SD 16041 $8.98, © CS Band makes a better impression when you opted here for a mix that makes them sound 16041 $8.98, ® TP 16041 $8.98. don't listen too closely. P.G. as if they were recorded in a steel box. All PerformanceSpirited concerned must have an eye on market de- Recording Good RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT mographics. Thus we get a bit of mellow macho from the title tune and I Pretend The ADC Band (in case you're wondering, KAREN AKERS:Presenting Karen Akers. She's You, a dash of contrived social con- the initials stand for-believe it or not- Karen Akers (vocals); instrumental

SEPTEMBER 1981 105 Ne Regrette Rien.andLife Is-reallyallow her the scope to show what remarkable things she can do in performance. Every- thing else is either precious(Song for Old Lovers)or stagy(TroubleMan) or an ill- advised attempt to be "with it" (Billy Joel's She's Always a Woman).But the three good ones are pure fresh caviar. P.R.

ATLANTIC STARR: Radiant.Atlantic Starr (vocals and instrumentals); instrumental accompaniment.When Love Calls; Does It Matter; Mystery Girl; Under Pres- sure;andfourothers. A&M SP -4833 $7.98, CS -4833$7.98,10 8T-4833 $7.98. Performance: Easy-Ilstening funk Recording. Excellent WhenAtlanticStarrvocalistSharon Bryant is in charge, everything this talented nine -person band does comes together.It isn't that the other eight Starrs are shirkers; on the contrary, these guys are out there playingall the time. Augmented with some carefully placed strings, a bit of electronic gimmickry, and very little else, their strut- ting, Latin -funk instrumental back-ups are refreshingly clean and imaginative. The trouble is that Bryant is the only vocalist in the group with enough power not to get swamped by the instrumentals. When she joins David Lewis in singing the second verse of Am / Dreaming, for instance, her vibrant, thrilling sound positivelytrans- Chaka `Khan forms the song (her harmonies are wonderful).I have to pick Sendfor Me-acool, classyballadinthe Commodores style CHAKA KHAN'Snew "What Cha' Gonna tried to overcome the collective amnesia of that's beautifully sung by Wayne Lewis- Do for Me" is an album that fairly today's pop artists, whose ignorance of the as the album's best cut, but if Atlantic Starr sizzles with her distinctive brand of high- jazz tradition has sadly limited them. Con- would concentrate on developing Sharon energy singing. Once again we are treated temporary musicians can still learn from Bryant's talent, it could become an impor- to well -crafted and powerfully executed in- the masters of the past. Chaka Khan has tant group. I.C. strumentals that blast Khan into the vocal evidently learned her lessons well. If any stratosphere where she so gracefully soars. further proof were needed that she is an ex- BILLY AND THE BEATERS. Billy Vera In format, style, and overall sound, the new ceptionallygiftedsingerwithplatinum (vocals, guitar); the Beaters (instrumen- albumcloselyresemblesherprevious pipes,herdazzlingperformanceshere tals).Strollin' with Bones; Corner of the Warner Bros. set, the superb "Naughty" should do the trick. -Phyl GarlandNight; I Can Take Care of Myself; Millie, (BSK 3385), although none of the selec- Make Some Chili; At This Moment;and tions here jump out at you quite the way three others.ALFAAAA -1000I $7.98, that disc'sCloudsandPapillondid. CHAKA KHAN: What Cha' Gonna Do for ACA -10001 $7.98. The highlight this time around is a mar- Me. Chaka Khan (vocals); instrumental ac- velously popped -up, electrified version of companiment. WeCan Work It Out; What Performance Not bad the Dizzy Gillespie jazz classicNight in Cha' Gonna Do for Me; I Know You. I Live Recording. Good Tunisia.Here it's called Andthe Melody You; Any Old Sunday; We Got Each Other; This is the result of a collaboration by a LingersOn; the lyrics supplied by Khan and And the Melody Lingers On (Night in Tu- group of L.A. studio hotshots. Billy Vera, it producer Arif Mardian pay tribute to the nisia); Night Moods; Heed the Warning;says here, wrote the "hits"-which I can't musical legacy of the Forties, citing the in- Father He Said; Fate: I Know You. I Live remember-WithPen in HandandStory- fluence of Bird, Max, Miles, and especially You (Reprise).WARNER BROS.HS 3526 bookChildren, and he was part of the first Dizzy on all that have followed, up through $8.98, © W5 3526 $8.98, e W8 3526 interracial duet to make the Top 40 along Stevie Wonder. It's about time someone $8.98. with someone named Judy Clay. Can't remember that either.Idon't figure to remember this album either, although some things about itare well done.Itis too rough -textured and big -bandy for me. Four saxophones in one group istoo damned accompaniment. Send/ntheClowns; ladies of the late Fifties who used to enliven many saxophones. Vera's vocals are capable Taught by Experts; Trouble Man; After the Manhattan night scene at such places as but don't have much style. The album does the Show; Sometimes When We Touch; the Blue Angel, the Bon Soir, and Le Reu- have a nice informality about it, though, Cloud of Music;and five others.BLACK - ban Bleu. Akers was discovered at the only and the songs are better than average, and WOOD81-750091 $10.98 ( from Blackwood modern-day equivalent of thoseplaces, Jim Ehinger plays, with wild abandon, some Productions, 251 West 57th Street, New Reno Sweeney's (now closed), by Christian very neat piano. The recording is clear but a York, N.Y. 10019). Blackwood, who produced this album and bit on the crisp or trebly side.Ithink a PerformanceStriking the PBS television special that it's taken smaller combo could have done the same Recording Good from. Her voice is a fine, clear, dramatic thing better, but inflation never sleeps. instrument, and her diction, timing, and N.C. This is an impressive debut. Karen Akers phrasing are superb. The only thing that sounds like a born cabaret singer in the tra- limits this album isthe repertoire. Only BLUE MAGIC:Welcome Back.Blue dition of Felicia Sanders and all those other three songs-Send In theClowns. Non, Je Magic (vocals); vocal and instrumental ac- 106 STEREO REVIEW companiment. The Oscar; Feelin' the Love; Who Could Ever Leave You; Welcome In the finest Back; Land of Make Believe; Seems I Haven't Seen Her; and four others. EMI European Tradition. ST -12143 $8.98, 4XT-12143 $8.98, 0 8XT-12143 $8.98. Performance. Mellow Recording. Good You can depend on Blue Magic to deliver mellow, moderately paced dance music that pleases the ear. This time their vocalizing is supported by what sounds like a cast of thousands, at least on the opening track, The Oscar. With all those rumbling drums and singing strings, you'd expect to hear Charlton Heston reciting the Ten Com- mandments rather than the modest little ballad that follows. Aside from that lapse into pretentiousness, this is the sort of sturdy-if not overwhelmingly original-material they do so well. Among the better tracks are Welcome Back and Standin' on and, with 37 years acoustic experience! the Edge of a Love Affair. P.G. It takes time to become a legend. RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT Just as the artistic virtuosity of Henri Motisse developed over a period of :ime, the acoustic virtuosity of SPARE has peen developing since 1944. CAMEO: Knights of the Sound Table. Cam- Rs a pointer orchesmtes the elements at his disposal to create eo (vocals and instrumentals); vocal and in- masterpiece, SIARE hos orchestrated its elements within the 403 Series strumentalaccompaniment.Knightsby Nights; I Never Knew; Don't Be So Cool; I to create acoustic perfection. Like It; and four others. CHOCOLATE CITY Subtle nuances differentiate the CCLP 2019 $8.98, © CCL5 2019 $8.98, ® suaerior from the conventional, in CCL8 2019 $8.98. art and in sonic reprod fiction. Performance Exciting Sonic Superiority from... PRONOUNCED (SEE -ARE) Recording. Too bright -TAUT PARLEURS DE FRANCE LOUDSPEAKERS FROM FRANCE As in Cameo's previous release, "Cameo- =or further information: sis," this ten -man rhythm-and-blues organi- Write to SIARE Corr., 80 13th zation lays claim to an interesting middle ground in contemporary black music. Their CIRCLE NO. 45 ON READER SERVICE CARD music is far more organized than the funky extravaganzas of, say, Parliament. But it's farfreer-moreprogressive-thanthe laundered productions of groups like Chic. Oh, Cameo can sweeten things up; they The record critics have no aversionto supplementing the steady rhythm of an uptempo (and totally have met their match. winning) item like Use It or Lose It with closely harmonized choruses and nonstop strings. But even here and in similar material the arrangement is strong and busy in the jazz/funk tradition. is I urge you to run The album is recorded without a trace of (don't walk) to your 66 Not only is dynamic mushiness no matter how much is going on. nearest dbx dealer for range greatly enhanced, Unfortunately, the price of that achieve- an eye (and ear) open- but record surface noise ment is an overly bright sound. In an under- ing experience. Re- is virtually banished. These standable desire to capture everything his gardless of the quality albums are, in my view. of your audio system- simply the best - virtuoso musicians lay down, producer and super expensive or sounding analog group leader Larry Blackman has overcom- modest-the full .7 -- -4wr discs I have pensated a bit. So turn down the treble, turn potential of ever heard." up the bass, and enjoy yourself. I did. I.C. your equipment will :inally be heard" ilirs NORMAN KIM CARNES: Mistaken Identity. Kim t EISENBERG,

Carnes (vocals, piano); instrumental ac- ALFRED MEYERS, I I Stereo & companiment. Bette Davis Eyes; Hit and Hi-Fi/Stereo Hi-Fi Times Run; MistakenIdentity; Draw of the Buyers' Guide Cards; Break the Rules Tonight; Still Hold On; and four others. EMI/AMERICA SO - 17502 58.98, 4X0-17502 $8.98, ® 8X0- 17502 $8.98. Performance. Good Recording Very good The hit here, Bette Davis Eyes, written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon, is considerably more interesting than any- Discover dbx Discs and Digital dbx Discs, the world's first Full Dynamic Range thing else. Kim Carnes has the vocal equiv- Recordings. At finer audio and record retailers. Or send for our cata- alent of bedroom eyes, possibly owing to the log dbx, Inc.. Dept. DS, 71 Chapel St., Newton, Mass. 02195, U S.A. db Xg CIRCLE NO. 15 ON READER SERVICE CARD SEPTEMBER 1981 107 turn out to be a two -joke act, the second joke being that since these songs are not at all defaced by the ridiculous gimmick of the Chipmunks' electronically speeded -up singing, we may have to come to the grim real- a ization that mainstream country is as bland, plastic, and soulless as any other musical

U genre that gets played on the radio a lot. To Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, then-thanks a lot, fellas. S.S.

RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT GUYCLARK: The South Coast of Texas. Guy Clark (vocals, guitar); vocal and instrumental accompaniment.Who Do You Think You Are; Crystelle; New Cut Road; Rita Ballou; South Coast of Texas; Heart- broke;and four others.WARNER BROS. BSK3381 $7.98, © M5 3381 $7.98. PerformanceVery good RecordingVery good Guy Clark, in case you don't speak. Austin, is the guy who wroteL.A. Freewayand That Old Time Feelingfor Jerry Jeff Walk- er. There is at least a spark of something specialina high percentage of Clark's songs. As a singer he's limited, but he does make up some ground in expressiveness. The production of this album, by Rodney THEstyle of Jackie Cain and Roy Kralbraphone tastefully dominate the accom-Crowell, is stripped clean to the bone, as has not undergone much of a change paniment, which includes strong input from Hemingway said language should be, and since 1947, yet there is nothing anachronis- bassist Brian Torff and percussionists Jeffnot only will you want to listen to every tic about their singing. They are consum- Hamilton and Ralph Hardimon. Jackie and sound that remains in it (including a vocal mate jazz artists, and they were way ahead Roy should be known and savored east ofby Rosanne Cash), but you'll be able to of their time in 1949, when they bopped and Suez, west of the moon, and wherever dis- hear scatted their way to national attention as a it with no interference whatever. Only criminating ears yearn for relief. HeartbrokeandCalf Rope(a Southern ex- vital component of saxophonist Charlie -Chris Albertson pression for "I give up") leave me gasping a Ventura's septet. "East of Suez," a new album that takes its name from one of the bit for melody; everything else has some- JACKIE AND ROY: East of Suez.Jackiething to say and says it well. N.C. duo's most celebrated numbers, is a won-Cain (vocals); Roy Kral (vocals, piano); derful blend of straight jazz singing and vo- Jeff Hamilton (drums); Ralph Hardimon cal harmonizing applied to both old and ROSEMARY CLOONEY: Come On -a My (percussion); Paul Johnson (vibes); Brian House.Rosemary Clooney (vocals); various new material. It is the couple's second Con- Torff(bass). Don't Be Blue; D'Light; Close orchestras. cord Jazz release, and it should do much to Come On -a My House; This Ole Enough for Love; East of Suez; Wings of House; Tenderly; Mambo Italiano; Mixed further a career that has survived more than Love; Travelin'; It's So Peaceful in the Emotions; Hey There!; three decades of public neglect. and six others.EN- Country; Anthropology. CONCORD JAZZ CORE 03)P 14382 $8.98. Roy Kral's piano and Paul Johnson's vi- CJ -149 $8.95. PerformanceFifties classics Recording.Variable Here are a dozen commercial classics from the Fifties as sung by Rosemary Clooney, the Golden Girl of the Eisenhower years. same kind of throat damage that Rod Stew- which a dog sits at a typewriter next to a art has suffered, but the songs-both hers The ballads stand up best;Tenderly, I'm monstrous stack of manuscript paper. His Glad There Is You,andHey There!all and other people's-deal only with the sur- master is reading some of it with a pained foreshadowthe face of things. The slick production adds to reallysplendidsinger expression, and the dog says, "Of course it's Clooney has become in the last few years. the impression that what they're trying for doggerel. What did you expect?" is a sound acceptable for today's radio pro- This lucky Golden Girl of the past has So the Chipmunks are a one -joke act. Of turned into a Platinum Lady of today. gramming, although some good musicians course. What did you expect? It's a jokeI P. R. are involved and a scintillating lick is heard have yet to tire of, but, then again, I'm old now and then. Richard Stekol'sMy Old enough to view it somewhat nostalgically, Palsruns a distant second among the songs; since the very first record I actually paid for RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT at least it's about something. Whatever's out of my own lunch money was the original BRUCE third is even more distant. COCKBURN:Résumé. Bruce N.C. Chipmunk Song'way back in 1958. And Cockburn (vocals, guitar); instrumental ac- there's something oddly soothing about the companiment.Silver Wheels; The Coldest THE CHIPMUNKS: Urban Chipmunk. furry trio's harmonies; they sound so organ- Night of the Year; Can I Go with You; The Chipmunks, Jerry Reed, Brenda Lee ic, so natural, to ears lately abused by their Laughter; Water into Wine; Lord of the (vocals); instrumental accompaniment.The spiritual heirs, the Bee Gees. Moreover, Starfields; Gambler; I Love a Rainy Night; On the and four others.MILLENNIUM most of the country hits that the tiny ro- BXLI-7757 $8.98,0 BXKI-7757 $8.98, ® Road Again; Made for Each Other;and six dents essay here are of the ultra -commer- BXSI-7757 $8.98. others. RCA AFLI-4027 $9.98, © AFKI- cial, protest -the -smell -of -cow -manure vari- 4027 $9.98, 0 AFSI-4027 $9.98. ety, so the Platinum Vermins' vocal ap- PerformanceGreatest sprltz Recording PerformanceInstructive proach seems eminently appropriate, far Mostly very good Recording.Very good more idiomatically authentic than they Only one song here,The Coldest Night of were on the otherwise admirable "Chip- the Year, ispreviously unreleased. The rest Okay, okay, it's a one -joke act. But I'm re-munk Punk." are from the albums "In the Falling Dark," minded of an oldNew Yorkercartoon in In fact, now that I think of it, this may"Circles in the Stream," and "Further Ad- 108 STEREO REVIEW ventures Of' (1976, 1977, and 1978, respectively). The outside of the jacket does not tell you this, unless you can divine it from the title. So it is a sampler, but it's a good sampler, and most Americans and some Canadians don't have that many of Cockburn's earlier albums anyway. The tunes selected are alittlemore straight -ahead than thosein Cockburn's last couple of albums, and I don't mean that in the sense of the slightly pejorative term "accessible." I mean that the tunes are less convoluted and the language less opaque; 60 PIONEER' Technics CAR STEREO access is easier, but what I like more is that PIONEER KP1500 $ 84 it's also more graceful. The music is airy PIONEER KID -5500 $125 and bright and mostly acoustic; the attitude PIONEER KP6500 $156 behind the running commentary on the PIONEER KP-7500 $179 passing scene seems coy sometimes, but the PIONEER KE-2100 $171 lyric style is both inventive and polished. PIONEER KPX9000 $152 You getthefeeling of beingingood PIONEER KPX-9500 $169 SX-6 AMIFM Receiver - PIONEER TS -694 $ 48 hands. N.C. 45wattsperchannel, SL -D202 Turntable- PIONEER TS695 $ 82 digitaltunerwith pre- DirectDrive, Sem -auto., CRAIG T-640 $126 RANDY CRAWFORD: Secret Combina- sets CALL full front controls CALL CRAIG T687 $385 tion. Randy Crawford (vocals); instrumen- HPM-700 4 -way Speakers - SA -222 AM/FM Receiver - BLAUPUNKT CR-4000$240 talaccompaniment. YouMightNeed 10 -inch woofer ...$144 ea 30 watts per channel, Dig- BLAUPUNKT CR-5001 $328 Somebody; Rainy Night in Georgia; That's PL -7 Turntable- ital -Quartz tuner, 14 sta- SANYO CAR STEREO CALL How Heartaches Are Made; Two Lives; Quartz Direct Drive, fully tion presets CALL JENSEN CAR STEREO CALL You Bring the Sun Out; Rio de Janeiro auto. CALL SL -D1 Turntable- CALL FOR PRICES ON ALL Direct Drive, pitch control, MANY OTHER CAR STEREO Blue; and four others. WARNER BROS. BSK strobe $81 3541 $8.98, © M5 3541 $8.98, e M8 3541 PIONEER MODELS MODELS IN STOCK- CALL FOR PRICES ON ALL PLEASE CALL FOR PRICES $8.98. TECHNICS MODELS Performance Easy listening Recording Good discount 12200 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20852 Allordersshipped immediately Phone SometimesIfeel that Randy Crawford's orders accepted Use your VISA or Master considerable vocal talents have been put on sound Charge Call or write for price quotes on all hold until someone comes up with a suitable 800.638-6666 the top audio brands Write for free catalog All merchandise in factcry sealed cartons formula to market her to the broadest possi- with full manufacturer's warranty. ble audience. She has produced a series of 301-881.8890 disconcertingly uneven albums that have rarely showed off the wondrously full voice CIRCLE NO. 20 ON READER SERVICE CARD Ifirst heard in 1975 when she was an unknown belting out Gonna Give Lovin' a Try on Cannonball Adderley's "Big Man." "Raw Silk" was one of the few albums that Not all stereo or video gave her latitude to use her interpretive tal- systems are alike. Far ents. Since then, she seems to have been wandering through a mist of easy -listening, from it. There are many sleepy -time -down -South songs that are as components to choose from comfortable as an old bedroom slipper- now, and many more onthe and just as exciting. "Secret Combination" is no exception. Typically, it includes Rainy way. With Stereo Discounters Night in. Georgia, a song well on its way to new Fall '81 Hi-Fi and HomeEnter- becoming a cliché. While her rendition of tainment Buying Guide it's easy for the golden oldie That's How Heartaches you to custom design your ownsystem Are Made touches a soft spot of nostalgia and Rio de Janeiro Blue is an engaging lit- to meet your particular needs.Tomorrow's tle ditty, this sort of merely pleasant fare is needs as well as today's. We listened toall hardly challenging to a young woman who of you-near and far, large and small.You could grow into a major singer if she ever VP carefully. got the chance. P.G. COtold us of your needs and we listened We sifted through the endless arrayof consumer LAMONT DOZIER: Working on You. La- electronics to find the best quality and thebest value. mont Dozier (vocals); instrumental accom- stereo to home paniment. Cool Me Out; Why (Ain't My We've put it together for you-from car Love Enough); Nobody Told Me; Too Lit- computers, from amplifiers to videorecorders. This tle Too Long; Playing for Keeps; Working catalog, then, is your product. To askfor yours, call on You; and four others. COLUMBIA/ARC 37129, © RCT 37129, ® RCA 37129, no one of Stereo Discountersexpert audio/video consult- list price. ants today-TOLL FREE! Performance Surprisingly good Recording Very good CALL TOLL FREE Although Lamont Dozier attained promi- STEREO 1-800-638-3933 nence during the Sixties as a member of For price quotes Motown's top songwriting team, Holland - DISCOUNTERS or our catalog of Dozier -Holland,Ihave found his singing VISA tNe latest in Audio and songwriting rather pedestrian in recent 6730 Santa Barbara Ct. years. His musical concepts have been lim- Baltimore, MD. 21227 & Video Equipment! !Int SEPTEMBER 1981 ROSE RECORDS Fifty Years of Service 1931-1981 ited, and there have been too many sound - one of those ghoulish Elvis Presley imper- alike songs with unimaginative melodies. sonators, of course, but the two subjects do And while he is an earnest and industrious seem related, especially when Gordon slips Fight singer, his voice just doesn't have very much into his rockabilly-profundo voice, as he individuality. does, for example, in a semi -neat old song Record Price This time around, however, he surprised called Standing on the Outside of Her Door me. Somehow he has tapped a spring of and in a stillborn Elvis -reminder called Lov- Inflation! creativityto produce an album thatis er Boy. Gordon does sound more sincere bright, spirited, and likely to inspire somethan he looks, though, and there are some Rose Records has the largest singing along. Doing lead and background pretty good tunes here (including the hit selection of overstocks, vocals, he employs a lot of close harmonies, Someday, Someway by the up-and-coming remainders and cutouts - including some daring a cappella passages. writer/performer Marshall Crenshaw), al- ALL AT BARGAIN PRICES! Cool Me Out and Chained (To Your Love) though they're all on side one. On the other sparkle with touches of reggae rhythms, hand, the band exacerbates my underlying Send for our latest mail-order catalog and there are a few exciting moments when suspicion that cynical dilettantes may have which lists hundreds of new classi- Dozier sounds more than a bit like the latebeen at work on this by playing as if they cal, jazz, soundtrack, nostalgia and Sam Cooke. This album is a promising start had learned it all from records. Not only is popular overstocks out -of -print values. in a new direction. P.G. the backing unimaginative; it is obviously a No membership fee. second -generation product, full of second - Prompt service: Most orders PETER FRAMPTON: Breaking All thegeneration perceptions and understandings. shipped within 24 hours of their Rules. Peter Frampton (vocals, guitar, key- Technically, Gordon is fairly well equipped, receipt. boards); vocal and instrumental accompani- but, since parody doesn't seem to be his in- Complete selection of all current ment. Dig What I Say; Don't Wanna Let tent, he needs to work on projecting a pres- releases including imports, You Go; Rise Up; Wasting the Night Away;ence that isn't quite so arch. N.C. specialized labels and spoken Going to L.A.; You Kill Me; and three oth- recordings. ers. A&M SP -3722 $8.98, © CS -3722 GREAT BUILDINGS: Apart fromthe $8.98, ® 8T-3722 $8.98. Crowd. Great Buildings (vocals and instru- Order these recent arrivals now! Performance Paging Shaun Cassidy mentals). Hold On to Something; One Way Out; . . . And the Light Goes On; Dream THE MOST HAPPY FELLA/The complete Recording Nothing special Broadway performance. With Robert Weede, That Never Dies; Heartbreak; Combat Art Lund. Jo Sullivan. Susan Johnson, Shorty Poor Peter Frampton. From biggest rock Zone; andfourothers. COLUMBIA JC Long. others. Music and lyrics by Frank star in the Free World to near has-been in 36920, © JCT 36920, no list price. Loesser 3 ecords. $13.49 the blink of an eye. I'd feel sorry for him, except that he never has to work another Performance Fair STRAUSS/Also Sprach Zarathustra. Fritz Recording. Loud Reiner cond. Chicago Symphony Orchestra. day in his life, and besides, he did it to him- $3.98 self. Nobody put a gun to his head to forceGreat Buildings sounds scrappy and ener- him to record the treacly "I'm in You" al- getic, and their three-part harmonies are PORGY AND BESS (complete)/George bum or to make an utter buffoon of himself Gershwin. With Mel Torme, Frances Faye, pleasing, but do we need still another Top - Betty Roche, Bob Dorough; in the Sgt. Pepper film fiasco. Clearly, the 40 L.A. pop band? And do we need ten Duke Ellington and His Orchestra; Russ man convinced himself that his enormous more songs about the pain of love? Or such Garcia and His Orchestra. 3 records. $10.99 success was based not on his modest talents loud ones? Maybe Great Buildings will sur- as a guitarist and songwriter, but rather on CARL NIELSEN/Saul and David: Opera in 4 vive doing just what they do here, or maybe acts sung in English. With Boris Christoff, performing charisma, a quality that he has they'll disband and the members will wind Alexander Young, Elisabeth Soderstrom; in roughly the same proportions as Snookyup in other groups. Or maybe-let's hope- Jascha Horenstein cond. Danish Radio Lanson. they'll make another album and put their Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and the In any event, this new album is Framp- John Aldis Choir. 3 records. $8.97 evident energy and ability to better use. ton's attempt to toughen up his act (read: J. V. ROY ELDRIDGE/Dale's Wail: Eldridge's wet his toe in the New Wave), and it is not brilliant mid -50's sessions with Oscar atallunpleasant, or evenparticularly Peterson, Ray Brown, Barney Kessel, Herb ISLEY BROTHERS: Grand Slam. Isley Ellis and others. 2 records. $4.99 forced sounding, merely unmemorable. His Brothers (vocals and instrumentals); instru- new band plays with some grit, and he does mental accompaniment.TonightIsthe ARTURO TOSCANINI/Complete Release of get a chance to stretch out somewhat on Night: Hurry Up and Wait; Young Girls; the Legendary 1941-42 Recordings: lead guitar, but the songs are banal, charac- Schubert, Debussy, Berlioz. Respighi, Who Said?; and three others. T-NEcK FZ Mendelssohn, Strauss, Tchaikovsky. terless, riff -based concoctions that go no- 37080, © FZT 37080, ® FZA 37080, no 5 records. Mono. $19.95 where. Though his version here of the clas- list price. sic Friday on My Mind is fully as unimagi- WAGNER/Die Walkure. Jon Vickers, Gre native as you might expect, the song's being Performance. Mechanical Brouwenstijn, David Ward, Birgit Nilsson, Recording Good George London; Erich Leinsdorf cond. interestingly constructed and tuneful, un- London Symphony 5 records with libretto. like Frampton's own, serves to throw the al- Despite a playing time of thirty-one min- $19.95 bum's inadequacies into even sharper relief. utes and fifteen seconds, "Grand Slam" Please send me the albums checked above. I say the guy should hire himself out as a seems like the briefest Isley album I've ever Enclosed is my check/credit card information in sideman and be done with it. S.S. heard.Igot the feeling that the brothers the amount of which includes $2.40 for postage and handling. (Illinois residents also couldn't wait to finish up and go home. Pos- add 6% sales tax.) ROBERT GORDON: Are You Gonna Be sibly their programming has become so the One. Robert Gordon (vocals); the Wild- standardized that things seem to go quicker cats (instrumentals); other musicians. Are than they really do. Name You Gonna Be the One; She's Not Mine Side one begins with ballads sung by Anymore;Someday, Someway; Look Ronald Isleyinhisbest turn -down -the - Address Who's Blue; Drivin' Wheel; Take Me Back: sheets manner, but the tempo picks up with and fourothers. AFL 1-3773$8.98, the closing cut on the side and from there on City State Zip AFKI-3773 $8.98. things whiz by pell-mell. By the end of side Account Number (Visa or Mastercard only) Performance: variable two we have the Isley trademark of Ernie's Recording: Good Hendrix -disciple guitar wailing to a promi- Expiration Date nent accompaniment of multi -overdubbed I'm of an age and a geographic background Signature (required if using card) handclaps. The Isleys have had their act set to have feelings about rockabilly music that since the early Seventies and have virtually are not to be trifled with, so it's difficult for remade the same album ever since. Since I ROSE RECORDS me to give a Robert Gordon record a fair respect their earlier work from the Fifties 214 South Wabash Avenue chance. I respect him more than I respect and Sixties, I am delighted that they contin- Chicago, Illinois 60604 I 10 CIRCLE NO. 42 ON READER SERVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW ue to prosper. But they're not exactly en- companiment. Madman;Wastin'Time; GRACE JONES:Nightclubbing.Grace riching my life lately. J.V. Baby. Take Me In: Last Desperado; Wish- .:ones (vocals); vocal and instrumental ac- ing; and three others. WARNER BROS. BSK companiment. Pull Up to the Bumper; Use WALTER JACKSON: Tell Me Where It 3527 $7.98, © M5 3527 $7.98. Me; Art Groupie; Feel Up; Demolition Man; and four others. ISLAND ILPS 9624 Hurts. Walter Jackson (vocals); vocal and Performance Dry $7.98, M5 9624 $7.98. instrumental accompaniment. When I See Recording: Good You; Never Sing the Song; At Last; If It's Performance. A srlous try Tom Johnston is an old Doobie Brother. Of Magic; and four others. COLUMBIA FC RecordingTerrific 37132, © FCT 37132, no list price. course, I'd never go so far as to say Doobies should be smoked and not heard-but I'd I won't go so far as to call this newest set of Performance Mllow defend your right to say it. The band has Grace Jones performances a revelation, but Recording Very good never really spoken to me, and neither does itis certainly her most musical, listenable For someone who has been making good this, but what we've got here (in both cases) album yet. Jones has kept intact the forces records for such a long time, Walter Jackson is a failyah to communicate rather than a that made her last LP, "Warm Leather- shows a remarkable ability to maintain a lack of talent.Ithink.I mean, Johnston's ette," a success, but this time out the focus low profile. But the credit for his obscurity songwriting really is overwhelmingly mun- shifts even farther from the funky, punky should go to those who have marketed his dane, when you think about it-and these mannerisms of her disco era. talent. For instance, take the cover of this latestefforts almost force you to think Most of the interest in "Nightclubbing" album, his Columbia debut.I mean, how about it. In that regard, although the back- lies in a series of relatively spare percussive could anyone not already familiar with up sounds alittledifferent,this album arrangements. The besttracks arethe Jackson even begin to imagine the pleasur- makes almost exactly the same impression hauntingArtGroupie,co-authoredby able experiences that rest in the grooves be- on me that most of the Doobies' albums Jones, and the sprightly I've Seen That hind that dull, unimaginative cover? But have, namely, that someone mistook the rise Face Before, which sounds like what might don't letitfool you. Jackson delivers far of rock to mean you could get by with have happened if composer Nino Rota had more than the cover promises: eight fine chants instead of tunes. The lyrics are a written a disco number for a Fellini movie. tunes sung in a mellow, well -controlled, ma- thicket of banalities. Johnston may be writ- There's harder material here too. Demoli- ture voice over arrangements that either roll ing for his own voice, which has a sort oftion Man, Pull Up to the Bumper, and the in like early -morning mist or carry Jackson polished -brass trademark sound, bestat David Bowie title song fit neatly into the on boppy ripples across a soulful sea. The bursting out at you periodically. Technical- Jones persona: tough, unemotional, hard as programisa good, durable mixture of ly he seems capable enough, but he seems to steel. But these cuts are also well produced, smooth ballads and bounce soft enough for give everything, both here and back on the especially Bumper, with its ambitious Ca- evenhardenedmiddle-of-the-roadersto Doobies' albums, the same inflection. It is ribbean lilt. warm up to. If you like Brook Benton, it's hardly surprising that Michael Omartian, The voice that is set into these arrange- time you discovered Walter Jackson. C.A. the power behind Christopher Cross, pro- ments isstill an extremely limited one. duced this one too. You know what Don Jones does find a way to add intimate color- TOM JOHNSTON: Still Feels Good. Tom Meredith says: if you've got just one trick, ation to her hard -edged alto in the puzzling Johnston (vocals, guitar); instrumental ac- you've got no trick. N.C. but winning ballad I've Done It Again, but

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SEPTEMBER 1981 111 puter; Computer Love; and three others. WARNER BROS. HS 3549 $8.98, © W5 3549 $8.98. Performance Provocative fun Recording Superb The entire lyric of the title song in this, Kraftwerk's first album in some years, is a little list repeated over and over: "Interpol and Deutsche Bank/FBI and Scotland Yard." Judging by its prominent place in the album(Computer -World appears twice, at the beginning and end of side one), the list is clearly supposed to be important, but what it means seems to be left to the listener. Is it a rallying cry of left-wing Eu- ropean radicalism? A reaction to the multinational corporate technocrats and their po- lice -state allies? Whatever, this Kraftwerk album is more to be appreciated intellectually than enjoyed viscerally; you could dance to their stuff a few years ago, but no longer. These are computerized, programmed electronic melodies with an eerie Oriental feeling played against sparks and sputters of sound on the very edge of what is traditionally thought of as music. In this emotionally numb atmosphere, even an innocent item like Numbers becomes ominous simply because a guttural, ghostly voice repeats the numbers one through eight in German, and the simple line "I am the operator of my pocket calculator" takes on all kinds of symbolic overtones.I happen to enjoy this kind of exercise. Kraftwerk's new album is HE SecretPoliceman'sBall" docu- stunner, and his update of the Brechtian filled with attractive sounds as well as pro- ments the musical segment of a Glad to Be Gay is thoroughly chilling. Ex- vocative ideas, and how many records can London charity event in 1979, and the al- Bonzo/Python Neil Innes weighs in with a you say that about these days? I.C. bum may just be the most worthwhile fund- marvelous parody of Nelson Riddle's big - raising tool ever marketed. The profits go to band Fifties pop (Spontaneous), and John L.A.: Doyawanna. L.A. (vocals and instru- Amnesty International, truly a nonpartisan Williams is his usual impeccable self on two mentals). The Reaper; W -O -M -A -N; Doya- cause, and the music is uniformly terrific. classical -guitar essays. In short, this is an wanna (Make Love); I Need You So; Don't The big news is the acoustic Pete Towns- artistic triumph for all concerned, and you Hurry Love; Runaround; and four others. hend stuff, perhaps the finest work the man couldn't contribute to a more deserving RADIO RR 16035 $8.98, © CS 16035 has committed to vinyl since "Who's Next." cause regardless of your politics. Get it. $8.98. ThetransmogrificationofWon'tGet And get another one for a friend. Fooled Again, a song that in its original -Steve Simels Performance. Okay version was a gigantic production number, RecordingGood into a delicate chamber -music piece for two First, the initials. They don't stand for Los guitars without losing ascintilla of the THE SECRET POLICEMEN'S BALL-Angeles but for Love Affair. Second, the tune's intensity is by itself a good enough THE MUSIC. Pete Townshend: Pinball band. The members are quite young and reason to add this to your collection, and his Wizard; Drowned. Tom Robinson: 1967 (So come from Cleveland, Ohio. What saves other performances here are equally com- Long Ago); Glad to Be Gay. Neil Innes: them from sounding too provincial is an oc- pelling. I am now aBorn Again Pete Spontaneous.JohnWilliams:Cavatina; casional twist in their arrangement, an in- Townshend fan: this is a great, great man. Bach-Bouree from Cello Suite No.3. teresting chord resolution, and a generally There's not a dud in the package, actual- Pete Townshend and John Williams: Won't straight -ahead way of playing. ly. Tom Robinson's new 1967 is a mordant Get Fooled Again. ISLAND IL 9630 $5.99. Some of the lead vocals are literally juvenile, but it's rather endearing to hear a singer suddenly realize he can't hit the note dead -on and breathe up to it instead. Mid- western bands like this tend to be too anx- ious to write their own material instead of everything else is half -chanted, half - behind this album, he misses that a lot. In- accepting tunes that will emphasize their growled in her familiar fashion. What's new stead of changing his act, however, he's ap- strengths and cover their weaknesses. Many is the variety of textures here and the seri- parently counting on fan loyalty; what he of the songs here are also juvenile, although ous attempt to widen her appeal. I.C. does here is exactly the same thing he's some of the lyrics show promise. The two been doing over and over again for the last best cuts, not written by the band, are Run- TOM JONES: Darlin. Tom Jones (vocals); fifteen years. That's a pity, because by now around, by Jack Tempchin and Tom Seu- vocalandinstrumental accompaniment. he's beginning to sound like a parody of a gert, and The Reaper, by Steve Wittmack, Darlin'; One Night; But I Do; Lady Lay parody. P.R. who also produced the album. L.A. definite- Down; No Guarantee; and seven others. ly has potential. J. V. MERCURY SRM- I -4010 $7.98, MCR4- KITTY AND THE HAYWOODS: Excuse 1-4010 $7.98, 0 MC8-1-4010 $7.98. Me, I've Got a Life to Catch (see Best of the KAREN LAWRENCE AND THE PINZ: Performance The same as always Month, page 80) Girl's Night Out. Karen Lawrence (vocals, Recording:Good keyboards, accordion); the Pinz (vocals and KRAFTWERK: Computer -World.Kraft- instrumentals). Girl's Night Out; I Won't It's been a long time since Tom Jones made werk (vocals and instrumentals). Comput- Stop; Sealed with a Kiss; Blondes; So the charts, and, judging by the media push er -World; Pocket Calculator; Home Corn- Tough; March of the Pins; and four others.

112 STEREO REVIEW RCA AFL( -4006 $8.98, © AFK 1-4006 It just goes a long time between standout running his guitar accompaniment to an an- $8.98. tunes, and this batch, even though it raises cient ballad through a revolving Leslie speak- the overall recent quality average, essential- er. Well, the British have a way of evolving in Performance Okay ly prolongs the wait for the next one. N.C. that direction, as Steeleye Span fans know, Recording Good and I usually like Martyn's stuff quite a lot. Despite this album's cover design and. pho- JOHN MARTYN: Grace & Danger. John This time, though, he seems to be forcing the tos, which show Karen Lawrence in a Fif- Martyn (vocals, guitar); Tommy Eyre (key- vocals a bit, perhaps reaching for some effect ties prom dress, the music isn't, as you boards); John Giblin (bass); Phil Collins he has not adequately written into the song in might expect, a comment on the mores of (drums, vocals). Some People Are Crazy; the first place. Either that or his throat hurts. that decade. Instead it's a so-so program of Johnny Too Bad; Sweet Little Mystery; and The songs themselves are a bit less, urn, active songs written by Lawrence and lead guitar- five others. ANTILLES AN 7081 $7.98. than usual; these might remind you a little too ist Fred Hostetler that purport to be com- much of the midnight oil in the late Tim Performance Good Buckley's lesser works. Martyn seems here ments on the square world (March of the Recording Very good Pins), sexual liberation (Girl's Night Out), neither as graceful nor as dangerous as I'd nurturing (Fix It), and the blahs (Modern John Martyn does his own kind of psychedelic Come to expect. N.C. Times). There is one specific nod to the Fif- folk -jazz. As Irecall, he ended what other ties in Sealed with a Kiss, which Lawrence people thought were his "pure" folkie days by (Continued overleaf) sings better than the original. For most of her own material she affects a talk -sing manner and tries to sound slightly punk - ominous. Ho hum. J.V. DAVID LINDLEY: El Rayo-X. David New Rli0 Ultrachrome Lindley (vocals, guitar, bass, fiddle, bandu- ria); vocal and instrumental accompaniment. Mercury Blues; Quarter of a Man; is a true chrome tape! Twist and Shout; Don't Look Back; and eight others. ASYLUM 5E-524 $8.98, © 5C5-524 $8.98, ® 5T8-524 $8.98. Performance He's got rhythms Recording. Good If you want to hear David Lindley, sidekick of Ry Cooder and Jackson Browne (co -producer and occasional vocalist here), play some hot guitar, you've come to the wrong place. Nine out of the twelve numbers here, including Bye Bye Love and Twist and TRACHFt °°4, )E,, Shout, are given some kind of Caribbean rhythms-New Wave, r -&-b, and attempted Cajun-are important to the other three as well. But it's a likable little record. The songs are carefree, lazy, and whimsical. Lindley sings about as well as Joe Walsh and in a similar sort of controlled nasal whine. This would be a little stronger, perhaps, if he didn't seem a foil for the rhythm section so much of the time, but the rhythm section is fun to listen to. N.C. RICO MARSHALL TUCKER BAND: Dedicated. LTRA"Ls Marshall Tucker Band (vocals and instru- wyROME mentals); Charlie Daniels (fiddle); Norton u rx,k, Buffalo(harmonica).Love Some; Sil- verado; This Time / Believe; Ride in Peace; and six others. WARNER BROS. HS 3325 $8.98, © M5 3325 $8.98, M8 3325 $8.98. When you're looking for chrome -cassette Performance Good performance, don't settle for a substitute. Recording Good Did you know that most so-called "chrome" recording tapes My usual complaint about Marshall Tucker aren't really chrome at all? They're made of ferric particles, albums, weak songwriting, applies here, but treated with cobalt to make them perform at a chrome bias it doesn't apply as much as it did with the setting. Their proper name is "chrome -equivalent" tape. last two or three. This time the songs are New RKO Ultrachrome is a brand-new, second - good enough to be called mediocre, possibly generation, true chrome tape, made of genuine chromitim because the album is dedicated to the mem- dioxide particles. It's specifically formulated to give high ory of bass player Tommy Caldwell (killed output, low distortion, and low noise on quality home cassette in an accident April 28, 1980) and the boys decks. tried harder. Still, you can't help thinking Why settle for a "chrome -equivalent" when you can about the albums this band could make have the real thing? with good material, even though on this one Insist on RKO Ultrachrome. the instrumentals aren't quite as sprightly You owe it to yourself.Andto your music. as they've been in the past. Jerry Eubanks' flute isn't heard much, possibly because of a yen to sound "Western" to match the sun- I 01 3 Fairfield Crescent. West Caldwell, N J. 07006 set -in -mesa -country cover painting. But this 11,RICO TAPETelephones: 201-575-8484, 212-233-3520 still sounds like one of the more capable bands where playing the tune is concerned. CIRCLE NO. 41 ON READER SERVICE CARD

SEPTEMBER 1981 113 ULLANDA McCULLOUGH: Ullanda lish bands that have been so labeled by the McCullough (vocals); vocal and instrumen- press, the Furs are being campy about their tal accompaniment. Bad Company; I'll JustSixties connections, and what you really get (MAID: Die; It's You; You're Gonna Wanna Comeon their albums (this is the second) is a Back; and four others. ATLANTIC SD 19296mannered, metallic sound tempered with $7.98, © CS 19296 $7.98. Bowie-esque vocals and some honking sax "RATED N0.1 TOR SERVES & RIILIABILTY" Performance Unrealized potential reminiscent of Andy MacKay's work on the THIS MONTH'S Recording Fine early Roxy albums. One could, I suppose, SUPER SPECIALS! argue that the Furs' scrap -heap cacophony Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson al-also has a certain tenuous connection with inn() and AUDIO ternate between starring in their own pro-the Velvet Underground (who were thought SOME 9000 XDOORD036 ISCI:1342 11,NiCS SA 105 AA 90 ductions and writing and producing for oth- of, incorrectly, as an acid band by their hip- GI VC1012 1799 TECHNICS SA 203 17990 MIACMV11160C SANSoll39002 25990 ers (most recently Diana Ross). In this new pie peers), but I suspect the similarities are NC 1164700 . 5799 MARANTI 519 77 00 2490 MAGNAVOX 6310 o el 5615 PIONS!. Sx 5 224 90 PANASONIC PV I300 01 1795 SONY ST1001 24190 release, they've confused their two roles by mostly accidental. PAMASON/C PV.1710 110611 T171.1924115 00065. VII -5015 1595 starring their productions instead of their RCA V17.250 v., No.ow 1750 TECNAC5 SL6,03 109.10 The Furs deal in fashionable themes of RCA 911460 ,3116. 11050 TECHNICS SW 202 109.90 SANYO 0C115000 Bea 1w0,747. 1715 TECHNICS SID 900 04 90 client, Ullanda McCullough. punk alienation (anybody who can write a SONY 3L.5400 41. PecoCleff 5775 P709090 Pk 6 149 90 SONY 51.5600 5.00 11925 SONY PSX 500 - 235 90 McCullough has a rather special voice , 1170 song called I Wanna Sleep with You is not 11/4911 009020 EIWu,129Tae, 1695 DUAL 607'31 01011 with an impressive range. Her powerful top 101121616.0 MOD 11216211096 IIC.426CSRSM 205 1910 exactly a dewy-eyed romantic), but the SONY IC9X5 I. 1235 ARAI NS 7350 VHS 112/5 is effectively exploited in these typical Ash- NC 110 7200 NG wlIuww 1975 AKAI GXF 90 39990 songs occasionally verge on pop when you PANASONIC 995.190 NIS Dec 1795 IEAC 0.9 1330 PANASONIC NdN6I 1,119071,.... 1295 MOWER Y5 994 PO ford and Simpson sets, riding easily up andignore the racket and singer Richard But- PANASONIC PV. 3300 VELS woR 1675 10065 CIC 110 ' 739 95 SONY St 3000 4010 liocadu 9650 ROMS 0160000 over the big, energetic disco -soul orchestra-ler's Ziggy-Stardust-on-barbiturates affec- SONY 1.3000 tunwilerrw 17/9 ROSS M 30 165/RAI0 49 951 ACC 19113110 CUM/6 ELECTROVOICE u 99 904 AC tions. But McCullough also has a warm, tations. In short, this is another instant bar- NIACIN VCK40/1 MAO 90cu, 1915 P10NEE0 HINA 500 709 WM AC.. 1699 IMMO szAareovas husky middle voice that is more distinctive, gain -bin classic from the Brave New World PANASONIC 9..600 Con34.1.7 567 SONY MEW 7 49 90 6055 SSP 24 90 SONY INC2100 Come.c7 196i ALIO TECH ADO 120.40 and this aspect of her talent is steamrollered of post -punk modernism, but I must confess 0 504 IOSIMA WASSON 000 PIDNOR SR 3 125.00 v 000 PLATT= CASTILOSIS into oblivion here. There are only three bal- that I rather enjoy the Furs' trashiness. Po- MAGNAVOX V119000 7, 9599 SNIPE 6191913 121 90099 V /5 IV 9990 PIONEER VP 1000 '9.00 9599 A1.10 TECH AT 740 IC 495 lads in the album and only one song - tential hit single: Pretty in Pink. S.S. (CA 511.100 1399 INININ 10002 44 90 30Wf 001/31 TV ITIRIO TO 60 Warm and Gentle Explosion (my favorite AIWA WS 30 159 90 6349 AIWA CSIT 19990 cut) -that gives her any extended lines in 9395 1490 HELEN REDDY:Play Me Out.Helen KV 190 1435 MINA 111SIFMNII 59 9,3 9569 49 90 her middle register. There's plenty of dra- Reddy (vocals); vocal and instrumental ac- RV 164015 1975 SONY WALKMAN II NOTE ALL COLOR TILIWSIONS 31111010 TOSPRIA KIS 2 ma, of course; this is an Ashford and Simp- companiment. Optimism Blues; Do It Like IRDGml COLLECT ONLY, All UM, iN, tUDI 1.013PHONIS son production. Love Has Changed MyYou Done It When You Meant It; I Can't CAR STEREO Mind is virtually operatic as it builds from Say Goodbye to You; Save Me; You Don't big to bigger to huge. Rock Me does justHave to Say You Love Me; and five others. PIONEER nualtitito SANTOaramet that in a straightforward dance arrange- Kr 5500 12490 FI.C2 (Mn Caue1193 59.90 MCA MCA -5202 $7.98, © MCAC-5202 Kr 8500 741 90 MC. (04 o poolMoury 99.90 RE 2100 17490 0 ment that is hot and stylish at the same $7.98. KIX 20 214 90 157.90 04502 74.4 90 164.90 time, and the electric -guitar break in Ru- Kr 6000 Performance Mixed AY 9000 ls: 9906 CLARION v%-9500 176 90 PE 6430 7995 mors is both exciting and intimate. But the 00 5100 209 90 PI 550A Recording Very good PI 75, 9219 ?1 restisalltoo frantic for me -and, I'm 011111112T. 0911001 132661 PI 954A Lev 95 X9.373 RA 90 PE 7640 919 95 afraid, for Ms. McCullough as well. Some-It's hard to decide from this particular al- RP 575 94 90 PI 9566 302 95 RP 500 134 90 PI 9590 . 499 96 Kr 770 10290 where along the way someone forgot whobum whether Helen Reddy is continuing on RPX 600 ago BLAUPUNKT Kr 7070 1490 CR 2010 259 90 was supposed to be in the spotlight. I.C. her way out or is on the verge of a come- POWIR UDR 1921.10312111 2001 424 90 AD JO 4 VO CR 4000 259 90 back. Whatever her destination, this seems AD 50 .790 Cl 5001 339 90 GM 120 106 90 CHARLEYPRIDE: Roll On Mississippi.to be a transitional effort. She's still milking CD 5 59 90 MITSUBISHI 94.697 , GM 4 54 90 4.1115011401 174 90 6165 010. 04.723 1 990 Charley Pride (vocals); vocal and instru- a fatuously romantic repertoire (When I CAR MAWS 61150110111 00.79 . 99490 TX X. 0390 19115961SW e0.13 Rec,.. 924 90 mental accompaniment. Roll On Mississip- IS 144 7390 64115050/8 02747 (70g A'. 32.190 Dream, the pseudo -country Save Me, You 19.695 66 90 MITS111115/11 CV -23 791/,', 924 90 0617509.1911 pi; She's As Good As Gone; He Can Be an IS IS 34 90 C0.25 .ww4 69 90 Don't Have to Say You Love Me), but she is 64 15.107 39 90 .15.31415411 5G-10 , 29 90 14715061501 50-400A Cu, AA 913 Angel; Fall Back on Me; and six others. so sweetly and forthrightly appealing in Op- 61I1S0616011 SG691A 69 90 .11111IIIIEST o 174 90 RCA AHLI-3905 $8.98, © AHKI-3905timism Blues, Do It Like You Done It 199 90 MIT 0410 We 27990 01472LNEA5E CASSE TIE' $8.98,®AHS1-3905 $8.98. 0.4200900,,, 259 90 616.70 MINN> )MINA CASSETTE' When You Meant It, and a heartfelt Play 11.511 (000 30,9,- 144 90 45.1.9 NIP AMP I NO WAITS I. Me Out that it would be ridiculous to write SOMOROMS 41 . 0011) WW1/4Z.. Performance Strings galore 1-1033 0.9 Up. 9 93 40 - , 1.12016.9 Caw , CONCORD Recording Good her off yet. There's wicked humor, too, in 11/30 400 'toil 14 54 90 ..,, 1193/01 FRUMP. 11124 50 Ur. N. 6490 :A. 1111.112 KUNO. her treatment of The Stars Fell on Califor- 11186 66 Co.,. - 4690 :0'95 swum DICAIN **CERA 11. 14019 60' . 43 90 2447 N16.00 ASP 0201.1140. The usual Charleypride album problems -nia, and when she puts the full force of her 11037 P. 64 90. 40 '0140 4/49/EQUel 61041 515 53 90 :00 001113001/ IMO 11011# R11011 MO IOW 11001 642 TO WARDS MAW CALL KO none having anything to do with Pride's personality at the service of a cozy ballad 1.1066 6.4 .2 9C 0.1006L P4ARIERM NICK singing ability -afflict this one. The thingsuch as Let's Just Stay Home Tonight, it's CAR ACCESSORIES is overproduced, as Charley and producer nice to know she's still making records.

9950 70101.10101 1 .. .224.90 900 0.2141, 224 90 ILIZZSINIII I.C. 119.90 Jerry Bradley have brought back the Nash- P.K. FOX Porno. 109 50 FY/MUM III 109.90 FOX 59100120. 219 90 PILL 690 tSune,,e,J 164.95 ville Sound with a vengeance. Pride's big IIANADA APIIIMIM ARE AVAILASU PLEASE CALL FOO MODEL NO RICE 0311.10115 voice is mixed so you can hear it, but a cloy- JERRYREED: Dixie Dreams.Jerry Reed sugatensa ing and unnecessary string section siphons (vocals, guitar); vocal and instrumental ac- =PIO VIONO off far too much attention. The other major companiment. Bayou Woman; Good AROMA C.,9,0 M.10. 2 99 wl CARRY 01010 TAPES SY AMPIX. ILAW, IMF P.O Cu' 299 2011, NC. MAXIM. PANASONIC. usual problem is that most of the songs Friends Make Good Lovers; Love Me To- 000 COO 299 IMMOWX TOR. SCOIC11.301,41 RCA, SC09041 000 , '. 1991,9569, SCOICII /31051e.I C 90 3 25 ML 1113 1:500 10 95 aren't very interesting -they almost seem night; Rhythm and Blues; Dixie Dreams; SCOICII MOON 9 C90 i1 C. 449 ALL BETA 4750 12 93 ME16011100,605 COO ALL 005 1.110.1er, 1t, I 1495 designed not to be -and almost all seem toOne Way Rider; and four others. RCA 329 MATTEL arna 279 30 SONY IECR COO 2 99 AWN ...Jam 20(.0 14695 gravitate down to the status of filler around AHLI-4021 $8.98, © AHK1-4021 $8.98, SONY iNx C90 1 59 MOLLY 101( 9001 0600.0371.41,10, 16 95 the title tune, on which hopes for the release ®AHSI-4021 $8.98. 9000C90 1 65 AM/TX 1.120 11 911 AMPEX 1.500 9 95 11:74 AD COO 2 45 FUJI 1.170 13 95 FUJI L.500 9 95 MK SA C90.. 219 were justifiably pinned. N.C. SCOTCH 9.120 112 0/ 990010 I 14 95 100 MACE.° I M670. 63$ MAXELL 1121.120 17 96 Performance Mixed bag 100 MA 020 I Molar 99 MAXELL ODA1 , a 009114 C 60 341 MAXELL 00.2 a 0002 IIC MO 3 /9 Recording: Pretty good MAXELL OD C 90 2 49 WE STOCK 1511/ C01.011 IV's. NS AND THE PSYCHEDELICFURS: Talk Talk 5 99 WIA NIXIO 16001106115. AND 14010 Meal .7035 90 610565 ROM ALL MAJOR 11011919030 MAME *DM 110 6.75 STUMM SEND FOR FREI CATALOG Talk.The Psychedelic Furs (vocals and in- Jerry Reed was working on this when I vis- NAM Coss Dewg (70 44 I 9495 WRAY ORM 12 IMES MO% RAIARAMEED strumentals). Pretty in Pink; Mr. Jones; No ited him last year (STEREO REVIEW, August VA VOCE ALL VI= MC MU! CALL Oe WEIR MI 5109 Of PINCel Tears; Dumb Waiters; She Is Mine; and 1980), when he said he was mightily im- NOW 90 MO eV MA 70 pomp taro cowseu, 9.e.a man, pc*. five others. COLUMBIA FC 37339, © FCTpressed with George Benson, The whole ce.I.7.90 COVII010 COMP. M011erChang.M90 OnC,UDO CON:1 num..e.0 0l,00004 cub 0.2.01,491 DO NOT SID CAM 0995000 1.0 ctecks ruus, Ve01.39, to. ONO. rvoc995.510 Sh.pproo, aucl.nsu.onc 0,9,09 .9 37339, no list price. first side reflects that impression; it presents 4%01,0101 woe, 0.1, a 13 95 rn,n,n,rr. charge New Voris 9.310116.09.315 MuS, OCICI soMs r. INRCINNOPLI 'IRMO NEW 90312 A10101:11. him speakinguncharacteristicallysoftly GUALIA07770 Performance: Trashy ORDER TOLL TREE: NKR VOW CAll. and suggests jazz. It takes him a little out of RIR Recording: Dank [6001211-8180 Q 030012111-8950 SR his element vocally, although his guitar SEND FOR FREE 260 PAGE AUDIOMDEO CATALOG The psychedelic tag hereis,of course, seems right at home. The songs aren't very 23 PARK ROW, NEW YORK. N.Y. 10038 ironic. Unlike some of the other recent Eng-strong, though. On side two, he gets back to

CIRCLENO.30 ON READER SERVICE CARD 114 STEREO REVIEW being a rampaging redneck-still flashingSKY: Sky3. Sky (instrumentals).The Nov from Speakerlab comes some jazzy flat -picking, however. He intro- Grace; Chiropodie No. I; Westwind; Sara- the new S1 1, S15 and S17. duces a new backwoods character, Soddy bande; Meheeco; and six others. ARISTA AB Housed in slender, elegant Hoe, pays tribute to Chuck Berry, and con- 4288 $8.98, © ACT 4288 $8.98, 0 A8T enclosures, these speakers are verts Charlie Daniels' fiddling contest with 4288 $8.98. designed to reduce edge the devil into a guitar -picking contest (the Performance. Inventive defraction for better "imaging". Georgia boy wins again, in case you were Recording: Very good Componentry includes. wondering). The album leaves a rather dis- amazing Samarium Cobalt leaf jointed impression, but some of it is fun and "Sky 3," like its predecessors, features the the picking is sweet. N.C. larky efforts of an Australian quintet whose tweeters for limitless high -end; members-John Williams,KevinPeek, efficient, ultra -low distcMan ROOMFUL OFBLUES: Hot LittleMama! Tristan Fry, Herbie Flowers, and Steve polypropylene/Polylam '" Roomful of Blues (vocals and instrumen- Gray (who replaces Francis Monkman)- woofers; and passive radiators tals). Long Distance Operator; Caravan; manage to keep their musical wits about to extend the low end both New Orleans Shuffle; The Big Question; them even while trying to consummate al- powerfully and accurately. The Little Fine Healthy Thing; Two Bones and most impossible marriages between the combined effects are awesome a Pick; and six others. BLUE FLAME BLUE classics and a rock beat. The sound of Sky is -bringing you music hat's so 1001 $8.95 (from Blue Flame Records, cool, clean, and mercurial with an unex- P.O. Box 49, Bradford, R.I. 02808). pected twist at every turn in the road. This fresh on your ears it's really album offers such clever exercises as Chiro- like being there. Performance Good, but ... podie No. 1, which is not a parody of the Send for a free catalog znd Recording Good Satie Gymnopedies but a kind of answer to read about these and a dozen Roomful of Blues has been together for tenthem; Handel's Sarabande (you may recall more new designs from years, appearing with such luminaries as this as the piece they kept ringing changes Speakerlab. Fats Domino, Count Basic, Lou Rawls, B. on in the soundtrack for Barry Lyndon) B. King, and the late Roy Brown and Pro- translated from the harpsichord to an ar- fessor Longhair. They are primarily a dance rangement dominated by John Williams' band that puts on a solid show of rather ob- superb guitar; and the drolly titled Dance of scure late -Forties and mid -Fifties rhythm- the Big Fairies, which turns out to be a and-blues items. The trouble with "show" rather slight but inoffensive routine for the bands is that no matter how much they be- tuba. At times I got the feeling that Sky is lieve in the music they're playing or how almost too inventive for its own good, but at well they play it, the translation from live least there's never a dull moment. P.K. performance in a dance hall to studio recordings rarely works. The only such group G. E.SMITH: In the World.G. E. Smith that managed the transition was the Aver- (vocals, guitar); vocal and instrumental ac- age White Band (and I use the past tensecompaniment. Rita; The Blind Boy Rag; deliberately,fortheirstylehassince Nuns with Guns; James Brown; Sad About changed), but by the time they came along Girls; and three others. MIRAGE WTG "soul" music had been largely reduced to 16038 $7.98, © CS 16038 $7.98, ® TP standardized riffs and predictable struc- 16038 $7.98. ture. Roomful of Blues tries to re-create the Performance: Interesting brief period in music when black bands Recording Good were moving from bop to rock-and-roll. De- spite their hearty playing and obvious sin- A perplexing performer, this G. E. Smith. cerity,their sound remains an acquired The opening cuts on both sides of this al- taste. J.V. bum are typical crash -boom rock-and-roll, but halfway into each side it becomes a bit SIDE EFFECT:Portraits.Side Effect (vo- quirky. Rita details the fears of a female cals); vocal and instrumental accompani- lead singer who keeps changing her hair ment. I Can't Play; I Need Your Lovin';color to conform to fashion and worries MidnightLover; Reggae Dancin';The about capturing an audience ("My man- Lord's Prayer; and five others. ELEKTRA ager says wait until February when the rec- 6E-335 $7.98, © TC5-335 $7.98, ® ET8- ord is out"). The Blind Boy Rag combines a 335 $7.98. goof on folic -blues with references to golden calves, Moby Dick, Columbus, and the Performance Bland Holy Grail. Nostalgia-and sophisticated Recording. Muddy nostalgia at that-is parodied on James The three men and one woman in Side Ef- Brown ("Remember Slim Harpo ... the B- fect are supported in these ten songs by a side of Funky Broadway"), and Nuns with veritable army: guitars, drums, percussion, Guns is a masochistic fantasy. horns, flutes (tenor and baritone), an Arp Like Alice's adventures, G. E. Smith gets synthesizer,violas,cellos,tenviolins,a curiouser and curiouser. This is an album to harp, background vocalists, and more. De- file, but not to forget. Who knows what he spite all this-and the participation of a may do next? horn arranger, a vocal arranger, a string arranger, and a horn orchestrator-very littleGINO SOCCIO:Closer.Gino Soccio (vo- happens. The songs are uninspired r -&-bcals and instrumentals); vocal and instru- stuff, and the arrangements are even less in- mental accompaniment. Try It Out; Street teresting than the songs. The only good Talk; Love Is; and three others. RFC/AT- singing comes from velvety -voiced Gregory LANTIC SD 16042 $7.98, @ CS 16042 Matta on Loneliest Man in Town, and the $7.98, 0 TP 16042 $7.98. only lively playing comes from a suddenly Performance Always Inventive awakened horn section in It's Got to Be RecordingTerrific Love (I Just Feel Like Dancin') and the effectively re-created sound of swing laid on A female vocalist named Erma Shaw and a If You Believe. To make matters duller, a Harry James -type trumpet player named heavy fog seems to have settled on the al- Roger Walls may be two reasons why Gino bum, muffling the conics. A bore. I.C. (Continued on page 117)

SEPTEMBER 1981 115 Video Review

"6711-ichael 'Nesmith in 'Elephant Parts"

MICHAEL NESMITH, in case you've for- The musical numbers, however, are what drama init;it means solely to entertain. gotten,was the ThinkingMan's you're going to watch most, and they're lit- But, unlike the usual run of California Monkee, and while I'm aware that there are tle gems all. Nesmith intended them as pop-say, the Doobie Brothers or Christo- still some people out there who might con- mini -movies, and that's what they are: they pher Cross-it is not brainless. It deals with sider that characterization to be a contra- tell stories with beginnings, middles, and ideas, and it communicates them with a sly diction in terms on the order of "Army In- ends, they're gorgeous to look at it (real, wink and immense, warmhearted style. telligence,"his career, both as a group old-fashioned Hollywood -production gloss), And, as presented here, itis music -that is member and on his own, belies any negative and they're genuinely, even poetically, witty inseparable from the video images that go assessment. (While we're on the subject, in their use of the video medium. Rio, for with it; the connections between the songs and withoutgetting,inMartinMull's example, is a splendid, spaced -out Carmen and the action on your screen are organic phrase, all warm and runny about it,it's Miranda -style dance number thatfuses and seamless. now obvious that the Monkees, crass and state-of-the-art video technology with slap- IrealizeIhave been making allthis plasticas they undoubtedly were, were stick zaniness and achieves visually some- sound like high art, which of course it isn't. quite a bit better than they got credit for thing of the piiia-colada charm of a Jimmy But the shock of seeing something this good being.) Buffett Caribbean fantasy. Tonightisa and this smart produced for the home video Nesmith obviously learned a lot during gorgeous Fifties drive-in dream sequence market is rather disarming. Suddenly the his TV days-working with the likes of Bob that manages, in its three or four concise fevered claims that this really is a brand Rafelson and Jack Nicholson, who little minutes, to trash absolutely the inept new medium rather than just movies on a wouldn't?-and lately, in between writing entirety of Grease. The humor is reminis- small screen seem plausible-nay, obvious. occasional hit songs both for himself and for cent in tone of some of the stuff Nesmith Certainly no one working in the rock-and- other artists, he's quietly set out to become did with the Monkees, but there's simply roll ballpark has come up with anything re- the D. W. Griffith of the video explosion. more careful thought and effort here; in motely as entertaining, and comparisons He's done promo films (for Kim Carnes, fact, there's not a wasted moment in any of with what's available on commercial televi- among others), plus some commercial par- these bits. sion are simply pointless. odies and film satires that have turned up Nesmith's music is, of course, pure Cali- on Saturday Night Live and the like, all fornia pop. There's no Springsteenian epic So . . . is "Elephant Parts" more worth produced out of his own self-contained stu- buying than last week's Hollywood block- dio complex in Carmel, California. Now buster movie or a tape of Blondie lip-synch- he's given up the audio record business to ing "Eat to the Beat"? Is it the kind of thing concentrate on video fulltime, and the you'll sit through more than once, like your fruits of this visionary labor are finally favoriteaudio -onlyrecords?Onboth available: "Michael Nesmith in Elephant counts, the answer is a resounding "You Parts," the first musical comedy produced bet!" Me, I can't wait till Nesmith takes a specifically for home videocassette (Guin- crack at something linear with a full-length ness Book of Records please note). If this is story line, a real musical for the TV media the future, we're in for a rowdy good time, (all three of them) rather than just a revue. because Nesmith's achievement is an unfet- On the basis of "Elephant Parts," he's tered delight. clearly the man who could pull it off, the What's "Elephant Parts" like? Like a lot man who-let me go 'way out on a limb of things you've seen before, I suppose, but here-could create the home -video equiva- with enough new wrinkles that it comes off lent, the revolutionary impact, of the origi- almost thoroughly fresh. There are big -bud- nal Jazz Singer. get song -and -dance production numbers, (A technical postscript: Not only does blackout sketches, fake advertisements, sa- "Elephant Parts" look splendid, but Nes- tirical digs at Detroit and the oil companies, mith has had the good sense to release the running gags (the world's most inept saloon thing, at least the VHS version, with a ster- singer),plus quiz -show and foreign -film eo soundtrack. I've heard it, and it sounds parodies featuring a talented rep company great. When the hardware catches up, centered around Nesmith, who retains the which should be soon, your copy won't be lanky charm and flair for gentle physical obsolete. Plus: a videodisc-in the MCA/ comedy he displayed back in the Sixties. Philips/Pioneer laser system-is due out There are a couple of truly priceless bits before the end of the year.) (my favorite is the opening, in which Nes- -Steve Simels mith simultaneously demolishes a tiny Jap- anese village in the style of the schlock "The man who could MICHAEL NESMITH: Michael Nesmith monster movie Rodan and his own image as in Elephant Parts. Michael Nesmith; other a hippie minstrel), and with the exception of create the home -video performers and musicians. Rio; Cruisin'; a drug -culture take -off on Name That equivalent of the Tonight; Light; Magic. PACIFIC ARTS VID- Tune, which strikes me as a bit dated, they EO RECORDS PAVR-529 VHS (stereo) or hold up well with repeated viewing. original Jazz Singer" Beta (mono) $59.95.

116 STEREO REVIEW Soccio's new albumiscalled "Closer." sults are mixed. Give Your Lady What She They are the forces behind Try It Out, pre- Wants has a trace of reggae in the instru- viously released as a single and the album's mentals, but the tune is trite and the lyrics opening cut, and they bring Soccio's music inane; The Deacon, however, is a spirited closer to the pop mainstream than anything mix of rapping and traditional singing. My STEREO he's done before. The beat is slower and the Poor Taste award for the month goes to Be tone is straight rhythm-and-blues. Soccio My Love, a popped -up treatment of the touches on his Eurodisco style here, but pseudo semiclassic Mario Lanza piloted to "Closer" is mainly new for him. If Try It the charts in the days of yore; the song just CORPORA= Out is what it takes to introduce him to a can't afford this sort of tampering. wider audience, that's just fine with me. The best tracks here are Almost All the OF AMERICA New listeners may stick around to hear the Way to Love and The Winter of Our Love. rest of the album, and they'll hear such Both get lively treatments, and the latter good music as the danceable Street Talk features some spectacular falsetto singing. and the sexy dance -tempo number calledThe rest aren't exactly clinkers, but their Hold Tight, with a gorgeous haze of elec- glow is mighty dim. P.G. TRY & BEAT tronic sound softening the hand claps, the horns, and the sharp -edged vocal. SQUEEZE: East SideStory.Squeeze All the cuts on "Closer" are arranged in (vocals and instrumentals). Someone Else's OUR PRICES! an almost casual way. "Pleasant" is the Heart; Piccadilly; Woman's World; word that comes first to mind; "satisfying" Messed Around; Tempted; Is That Love; In OR CALL TOLL -FREE might be a better one. Soccio is relaxing. Quintessence; and seven others. A& M SP - These arenotthe complex, ambitious, 4854 $7.98, © CS -4854 $7.98, ® 8T-4854 rhythmicallyintricateproductionsthat $7.98. 800-221-0974 made his name, but they succeed on their Performance Plodding own terms, successfully marrying contem- Recording Good AND LET US BEAT porary American pop with European -style electronics. I.C. Squeeze can be very funny -1 thought their "Argy Bargy" album was a gem-but this ANY PRICE time around their humor is so dry as to be YOU CAN FIND! RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT parched. Their character studies of fools and losers are dreary rather than satirical, SPIDER: Between the Lines. Spider (vocals TURNTABLES and instrumentals). Better Be Good to Me;the vocals and arrangements are as sparse RECEIVERS It Didn't Take Long; Can't Live This Wayas the sentiments, and the lyrics, though Anymore; Go and Run; I Love; Faces Are quite literate and detailed, read like the re- Changing; and six others. DREAMLAND DL - port of a psychologist who has given up on 1 -5007 $8.98, © CT -I-5007 $8.98, ® 8T- his patients.It sounds like they've been PIONEER SX-3700 $219 strongly influenced by their producer on TECHNICS SA -222 $209 1-5007 $8.98. SANSUI 49002 5309 SONY '1.600 1261 this outing, Elvis Costello. SONY STR-VX5 5349 Performance Very good What few moments of humor there are TECHN CS SL -1600 II S275 CASSETTE TECHNICS SL -0202 5137 Recording. Very good come from musical jokes about past playing DECKS Spider is a straightforward band, solid and styles, as on In Quintessence (significantly, durable, easy to listen to and easy to like. the only cut produced by Dave Edmunds), CARTRIDGES What makes them special is the way they with its reference to British Invasion early - SHURE 1/15-4 S96 Sixties pop, and Messed Around, which SHURE M95HE $32 take a riff or a phrase, extend it, and turn it $217 spoofs the cautious drumming and "tick- TECHNICS RS -M250 SHURE M97HE S48 into something substantial. Where most AKAI GX-F90 $390 STANT3N 8815 574 other bands would be monotonous, Spider ing" string bass that were a feature of Bill AKAI GX-F95 S777 riffs the way old jazz bands did-they put Haley and the Comets. Fourteen selections SONY TC-FX6C $274 meat on the bone. Better Be Good to Me, (the usual number on a British LP, as op- BLANK PERSONAL Can't Live This Way Anymore, and Facesposed to the ten typical of American al- CASSETTE STEREO Are Changing are three juicy ribs; the firstbums) are just too many considering the TAPE AKAI PM -01 consistent gloom. This is one time when an is also noteworthy for containing a drum TOE SA -C60 box of 10 $24 Walkman type portable cassette, headphones & album would have sounded better with less TOE SA -C90 box of 10 $29 solo that is rhythmic, a rare departure in plug-in FM cassede rock, where most drum solos are mere to hear. J.V. TDK SAX -C90 box of 10 S40 MAXELL UD-XL2-C90 ONLY! pounding for the groundlings. There's also a box at 12 $40 $219 nice ballad, It Didn't Take Long. This is aJIM STEINMAN: Bad for Good. Jim fine album that deserves a shot. J.V. Steinman (lead vocals, keyboards); Rory VIDEO ACCESSORIES Dodd, Karla DeVito (vocals); Todd SPINNERS: Labor of Love. Spinners (vo- Rundgren ivocals, guitar); New York Phil- J.V.0 HR -6700 5825 TECHNICS SH-F101 S59 harmonic Orchestra, StevenMargoshes PANA. PV -3200 $949 TECHNICS SH-8023$249 cals); instrumental accompaniment. Long RCA VET -550 51189 Live Soul Music; Standing on the Rock;cond.; other musicians. The Storm; Bad for Almost All the Way to Love; The Winter ofGood; Love and Death and an American Call Toll -Free! 800-221-0974 Our Love; Be My Love; The Deacon; and Guitar; Rock and Roll Dreams Come (except N.Y., Alaska, Hawaii) five others. ATLANTIC SD 16032 $8.98, 0 Through; Dance in My Pants; and five oth- Mon. -Fri. 9Am - 5:30Pm CS 16032 $8.98. ers. EPIC/CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FE Thurs. tit 9PmSat. 9Am - 5Pm E.S.T. 36531, © FET 36531, ® FEA 36531, no or call (212) 253-8888 Performance True to form list price. Recording Satisfactory Write or call for FREE rata og! Performance Junk The Spinners have all but defied the laws of Recording Very good naturebyexhibiting solittlestylistic AMERICA'S #1 SOUND CHOICE! change during their more than twenty yearsJim Steinman wrote and arranged the ma- as a staple r -&-b group. But resistance to terial for Meat Loafs "Bat Out of Hell" STEREO CORPORATION change is not always a good thing, as this album and toured with him as keyboardist recordindicates. The oldreliablefunk and associate zany. No one can argue with OF AMERICA seems to have lost much of its pungency; too the commercial success of that album- Dept. 109 many of the numbers here sound like mate- some 8,000,000 sold-so Steinman was giv- 1629 Flatbush Avenue rial on the group's previous records. Though en a lavish budget to write and produce his Brooklyn. New York 11210 there are indications that the Spinners are first solo LP. This is it, and it is awful. MASTERCHARGE E VISA ACCEPTED scratching about for fresh pickings, the re- (Continued overleaf) CIRCLE NO. 51 ON READER SERVICE CARD SEPTEMBER 1981 117 c_p ECIALS CAR STEREO Steinman attempts to be sensual, mysti- JENSEN OLAUPUNKT home during the progressive -rock heyday of SALE cal, and violent, but his songs are little more 1968.It R420 249 SALE wouldn't have been considered 2 CR300, 429 04,0 21".A C0500, 346 than collections of clichés and his singing is 9405 ,119 heavy, but parts of it would have qualified 0402 160 240 CRSCF12001 235 135 ludicrously melodramatic. Guest vocalists for play on FM radio stations with soft -talk- ,400303 6.9 UR A,,! .003/ 6.9 C044,. 59 Rory Dodd and Karla DeVito (whoap- RI A. SANYO ing jocks. Yet I don't think many of the ac- ,065 6.9 62 SALE .11069 69 0 peared on "Bat" and has replaced Linda 'C? 55 tual people left over from that period are CALL FOR 1C4 65 3C6 72 Ronstadt in the Broadway Pirates of Pen- still looking for that kind of sound. The SONY PRICES 106 99 zance) are infinitely more professional, but more modern references-the first three there's little they can do with the material. songs on side two-could also be taken as AUDIO CARTRIDGES Todd Rundgren, who plays guitar, sings, SALE SALE references to the old Who, especially in the N ome. 543/00 2,9 Shure 3151v 99 and co -produced, swings between beingex- Techn.s SA505 235 Snore MB/HE 52 case of Why Does My Mother Phone Me? Peon., PL300 99 Snore 16495141 35 P.onee. P0400 traordinary and being pedantic in his choice 129 S6o,e091ED 9 The thing reminds me of an adult cereal Owl 125,50 14, Ernpre 2003/ 49 Oval (06/55 206 ErnDre 2000Fiti 19 of projects and performances; here he ispe- 901,1 578025 190 o0., Tecn 1,55LC 109 packaged for kids-say, Product 19 behind Sony 578V35 219 u0.0 Te, n A111401, 65 dantic. Steinman apparently thought of this Sony Walkman '10512 ,55 Frankenberry graphics. Parts of it aren't Mora H. SMODer 56 mess as a "concept" album, though the bad, if you don't mind revisiting some old =800-638-0935 Mail= "concept" is hazy in the extreme. Heeven formulas. N.C. includes an extra 331/3 -rpm EP with a "pro- VIDEO HEADPHONES logue" and an "epilogue." The latteris ROBIN TROWER:B.L.T.Robin Trower S L E SALE calledRock and Roll Dreams Come 1r. c.2600 ,46 Koff nnu4A (guitar); Jack Bruce (vocals, bass);Bill 236 AuCho 11.4.1 99 9I51_5600 Through (not in this case), the former The 949 Aud, lecn AI.. 67 Lordan (drums). Into Money; What It Is: ny 515400 1,49 udoo Tech Ann13 39 A vE1650 1049 Sony 611303 33 Storm; performed by the New York Phil- So, 1400312 34 Won't Let You Down; No Island Lost; It's Sony /40145 58 harmonic, it only shows what 105 first-class Sony MDR/ 58 Too Late; Life on Earth; and four others. 1.Mora Rao Sei 15 musicians can do with certifiable hooey. CHRYSALIS CHR 1324 58.98, © CCH 1324 Worst of all is Steinman's dramaticmono- $8.98, 0 8CH 1324 $8.98. HIGHEND BLANK TAPE logue on Love and Death and an American Performance Too much lettuce SALE SALE Guitar, a wretched example of ravingme- A0corn CALL 04.411 UDC. 249 DruNI.near 9000 Ma, all 11041./0 C90 329 diocrity. Don't waste your allowance. J.V. Recording Very good TorniabIe 499 TOR AO C90 239 Pnase6near 4000 UM SA C90 289 395 Sony (OF C90 2 /0 Thebacon -lettuce -and -tomato II Prearnp CALL Sony EEC. C90 2/9 sandwich Fn. A2 Sperrern 225 Fop. FL90 1 99 Semhontan Oben', 549 FL1,1 Metal 93 549 RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT featured in full color on the front and back Fr. 0 149 covers of this is all wrong. Anyone who lives SYLVESTER: Too Hot to Sleep.Sylvester by the sandwich knows you don't makea or rs OD n 0 Ory 144 0417004 with full menu I actors' warranty James (vocals); vocal and instrumental ac- BLT with rye bread, as the photos indicate. VISA. Mastercard, .n0 C.O.O. Order; accpled. Call or write for quotes. companiment. Thinking Right; Too Hot toThe bread isn't toasted, 'another mistake, Sleep; Here Is My Love; Can't You See; and there's way too much lettuce in there Ili -R [Nazmi Ooo Baby Baby; and four others. FANTASY and it's still wet. But the worst is that the R-9607 $7.98, © 5-9607 $7.98. bacon looks 1362 HOLTON LANE dangerouslyundercooked. LANGLEYPARK.MD 20783 Performance: Solid Yuck. In addition to tasting icky, it could (301) 434-5330 Recording: Fine give you worms or something. I knowyou CIRCLE NO 24 ON READER SERVICE CARD can't judge a record by its cover, yetanyone Sylvester's familiar falsetto gives both ur- who wcaerill"tgeta BLT sandwichright gency and gentleness to the gospel -touched CUTRIOUS love song Can't Forget the Love and Smok- I find a similar lack of crispness in the CILAXILIS ey Robinson's Ooo Baby Baby. But on this way the music is cooked up. Jack Bruce AUTOK071Tt album Sylvester reveals that he can doan sounds good enough, back in this Cream- ToP COMPACT. equally solid job with his chest voice, as in a DISCOUNT style trio after his adventures in near -jazz, AUDIO ILADPISPES fun ballad with a Forties setting called but aside from Carmen and End Game, the 1150E P89., 11444 8411 C11.4494 1 OM Thinking Right. songs aren't very interesting. Bruce, who is That's only part of the good news about an authoritative singer, makes you respect "Too Hot to Sleep." The title song alonesome of them without really liking them. Your National radically upgrades my assessment of Syl- Robin Trower, of course, is used to play- vester as a vocalist, while the album as a ing-or appearing to play-both rhythm Headquarters for whole reinforces my respect for him asan and lead guitar at the same time, a must in arranger/producer. Sylvester was an inno- trios, but he's in love with feedback. Where Name Brand vator in disco. Now he has moved on. This Eric Clapton (and some bluesmen before album's r -&-b selections are well thought him) managed to sound dirty, Trower just Electronics by Mail out,appropriatelyset,impeccablybal- sounds scratchy. The album's fairly honest * Full Manufacturer Guaran- anced, with a vibrancy that gives them the and straightforward, though, and I could tee Applies to All Sales!! impact of a live performance. Give It Up stand another round of this trio with some throbs with power, and the joyous Can't tunes. And a decent sandwich. N.C. * Orders Shipped in You See is a show -stopper. Kudos, by the Factory -Sealed Cartons- way, to the well -used, hard-working back- WANDA WALDEN:Searchin' for Love. Most Within 24 Hours up vocalists. I.C. Wanda Walden (vocals); vocal and instrumental accompaniment. Wanna Love You * Multi -Million $$$ Inventory BRAM TCHAIKOVSKY:Funland.Bram Tonight; Holdin' On; Take Your Heart; r Tchaikovsky (vocals); instrumental accom- Lost and Found; Don't You Want My Lov- paniment. Stand and Deliver; Shall We in'; and three others. ELEKTRA 6E-338 TOP DISCOUNT AUDIO Dance?; Heart of Stone; Model Girl; Soul 1150 N Powis Rd., West Chicago, IL 60185 $7.98, © TC5-338 $7.98. Surrender; Miracle Cure; and five others. SR9 TOLL FREE 800-323-2518 ARISTA AB 4292 58.98, © ACT 4292 Performance Routine at best MasterCharge and VISA Welcome $8.98, 0 A8T 4292 $8.98. Recording. Beautiful Call or Write tor the LOWEST PRICES Around! MH Performance Mostly good Wanda Walden and her brother-in-law, MS Recording Good producer -arranger -songwriter -singer Na- Last rada Michael Walden, team up on this al- Number and Street, Listening to this album,I couldn't figure bum's title song, and though they try a little where Bram Tchaikovsky's constituency Cn, too hard to sound like Olivia Newton -John Slat, 1210 Coder lies (or jumps up and down). When you en- and Andy Gibb, the harmonies click and Phone Order Hours: M -W -F 8AM-4:30PM, T-Th 8AM-8PM. Sat. 9AM-Noon counter someone with a gimmick for a the song works. Yet, as I played through the WE CARRY THE TECHNICS PRO SERIES-Call for Duotesi name, you expect some sort of clowning or seven other tracks on this very well recorded L irony, but this album would have been at disc, I found myself more interested in the In Illinois, Alaska & Hawaii call (312) 293-1825 CIRCLE NO. 56 ON READER SERVICE CARD I18 STEREO REVIEW arrangements than the songs or the singer. Ms. Walden has a warm but undistinctive voice, and most of the songs have weak mel- DON'T BLAME odies and cliché lyrics. But the vigorous arrangements are extremely sensitive to the singer's needs. The big,fruity back-up chords impressively support the vocal in Lost and Found, there's a surprisingly ef- YOUR STEREO! fective flute obbligato in Don't You Want My Lovin', and Just to Love You has a good Your stereo system is a marvel of as they were first recorded... without saxophone solo by Marc Russo. The dance - mechanical enhancement. tempo Ho!din' On manages to be both advanced technology. But can you say danceable and listenable. It's all slick and the same Thing about the records and The natural sound quality will amaze contemporary, but not memorable. I.C. tapes you subject it to? you. The complete freedom from surface Yes... if you own Original Master noises will soothe you as never before. Recordings-; state-of-the-art LP's and Original Master Recordings"' span cassettes that dramatically improve the musical spectrum, from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones the performance of your stereo ORGINRMRSTER RECOSCINE PAT 11101ATAR to the Chicago Symphony and system. In The Of The NW* Each one is a hand-crafted George Benson. More than 60 Limited Edition, exclusively different Limited Edition titles, available now at transferred from the MRSTERRECORDING* OFIEGINRMRSTER RE C LAWS original recording Misfits discriminating studio master tapes audio and record of your favorite art- stores. ists. Every note and .....mobile ridentr nuance is faithfully .... "ound lab o NEEL INC reproduced exactly LOVESONG (Michael Valenti). Orginal- 14141 tONI.. In( cast recording. Melanie Chartoff, Sigrid Heath, Robert Manzari, Jess Richards (vocals);orchestra,MichaelValenticond. ORIGINRL MRSTER RECORDINGS. ORIGINAL CAST OC 8022 $8.95 (plus $1 FOR A FREE COPY OF OUR NEW SUMMER/FALL 1981 CATALOGUE PLUS postage and handling from Broadway/Hol- EXCLUSIVE INFORMATION ON UPCOMING NEW RELEASES, WRITE: lywood Recordings, P.O. Box 496, George- Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Dept. SR, P.O. Box 919, Chatsworth, California 91311 town, Conn. 06829). CIRCLE NO. 37 ON READER SERVICE CARD Performance Expert Recording. Good SANSUI AMP CLARION The latest prize from the forgotten -mu- LINEAR A AM FM CASSETTE Astonishing. DD DC sicalsvaultisLovesong. a 1976off- Broadway "musical entertainment" by Mi- chael Valenti, who also wrote the musical Blood Red Roses (its title song is included here) and incidental music for a number of plays. Itis a collection of settings of love lyrics by great poets from the sixteenth to PE -554A the twentieth centuries. The selections are AU -D7 beyond cavil: Sir Walter Raleigh's What Is Love,ChristinaRossetti's A Birthday, '292 $65 Anne Bradstreet's To My Dear and Loving Husband, and others by Lord Byron, A. E. "The sound of this diminutive speaker is Housman, Robert Herrick, Thomas Hood, OVER 100 BRANDS OF HOME nothing less than astonishing. Richard Brinsley Sheridan, that prolific au- AND CAR STEREO EQUIPMENT "Listen to the Four if you possibly can. thor Anonymous, and more. Valenti's music It is worth hearing - even if you are not shopping for a speaker -just for a dem- is more problematical. When he takes the 1 110 g 1 a onstration of how good a small box moving stanzas of James Agee's Open All can sound." Night andfitsthemtocontemporary 0 STEREO REVIEW June, 1978. rhythms and a haunting nocturnal melodic Copyright Ziff -Davis Publ. Co. figure, the results are touching, but when he CALL US TOLL FREE For literature and information call tries to marry Herrick, Rossetti, or Raleigh (8901225-4791 or send coupon. to music that sounds like Kurt Weill on an The Allison: Four - costs $280 each in off day, the effect is jarring. oiled walnut, $290 in oiled oak cabinet. Lovesong does have its moments: Peter Motteaux's Man for Woman Made makes a Sala ;; charming roundelay, the bitterly antiwar Blood Red Roses is penetratingly sere, the ALLISON rock finale to Richard Crashaw's An Epi- taph works better than I dared hope. And the four singers are versatile and skillful. ;ia;SS ACOUSTICS But Valenti's range, though considerable, is Ses en Itch Circle Natick, NLt 111760,1 .S. not equal to the task he set himself. P.K. 11.ga Name WOMAN OF THE YEAR (see Best of the Month, page 82) Address _ _ Zip (Continued overleaf) CIRCLE NO. 50 ON READER SERVICE CARD City Stale

119 SEPTEMBER 1981 His Men(instrumentals).Don't Get wish trumpeter Oscar Brashear had not Around Much Anymore; Solitude; Come beenrecordedwithso much echo-it JAZZ Sunday; Duke's Place; It Don't Mean a sounds as if they stuck him in the bathroom. Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing; and four "A Sophisticated Lady" is not the year's others. COLUMBIA FC 37363, © FCT greatest tribute to Ellington, but it is a wor- 37363, no list price. thy one. I have heard so-called jazz singers Performance Smooth do a far less creditable job. C.A. Recording Could be better GARY BURTON: Easy As Pie. Gary Bur- More than thirty years have passed sinceton (vibraphone); Jim Odgren (alto saxo- Teresa Brewer's novelty hit Music, Music, phone); Steve Swallow (bass); Mike Hy- Music secured her a place in the history of man (drums). Reactionary Tango; Tweek; America's popular music. She has enjoyed Isfahan; and three others. ECM ECM -1- much success since then, but it has been dif- 1184 $8.98, © M5E-1 184 $8.98. RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT ficult for her to shed the image of a squeaky teenage heart-throb. Sure, everybody knows Performance. Aloof ERNESTINE ANDERSON: Never Make she isn't one any longer, but there is a ten- Recording Excellent Your Move Too Soon. Ernestine Anderson dency to shrug off her attempts to cross mu- The alliance of vibraphonist Gary Burton (vocals); Monty Alexander (piano); Ray sical borders. I was cured of such prejudice and ECM, the pioneering German label, Brown (bass); Frank Gant (drums). As a few years back when-accompanied by continues to be a productive one. "Easy As Long As I Live; Poor Butterfly; Old Folks; the Count Basic band-Brewer made an al- Pie" features a quartet with Steve Swallow, What a Diff'rence a Day Made; and four bum of Bessie Smith songs. Teresa Brewer a consistently gratifying bassist, and two others. CONCORD JAZZ CJ -147 $8.95. singing Bessie Smith? The juxtaposition ap- players who are new to me-at least I don't Performance Andersonian grace pealed to my sense of humor, so you can recall having heard saxophonist Jim Od- Recording Excellent imagine my surprise when the record ac- gren and drummer Mike Hyman before, tually appealed to my musical sense. Brew- but I may have, for neither exhibits a par- Ernestine Anderson handles a song as if Sa- er sang Bessie Smith's songs in her own ticularly memorable orindividualstyle. rah Vaughan had just tossed it her way with way, and it worked. So, too, does her han- They are, however, quite effective within instructions to be gentle. Her robust voice, dling of eight Duke Ellington songs on "A the context of Burton's group, playing a never strained or affected, hugs a lyric lov- Sophisticated Lady," a release clearly de- clinical sort of jazz that, while skillfully ex- ingly, then sends it out with a precision that signed to take advantage of the success cur- ecuted and quite pleasant, lacks warmth. I could make more widely heralded singers rently being enjoyed by a certain Broadway don't mean this as a total put-down, but weep with envy. And if you can stay still musical. jazz this aloof is rather like a glass of water: through "Never Make Your Move Too Brewer's voice has matured over the there are times when it quenches a thirst, Soon," you have more body control than I years, though it has not changed character; but it is rarely wholly satisfying, and even do. Not that this is a finger -popping set that she still sounds essentially like the Teresa an inexpensive wine is often preferable.I will send you gyrating across the room- Brewer some of us remember from the days would like to hear Burton, whose playing I though two or three of these tracks just of chaperoned bobbysoxers and campus greatly admire, with a saxophonist who might do that-but if you are not moved to panty -raids. What has changed is the mate- doesn't sound like he is playing kazoo. This a mild stomp by the more rhythmic selec- rial and Brewer's style: she seems quite set is just too calculated. C.A. tions, you are bound to find yourself sway- comfortable in a jazz milieu and has clearly ing ever so gently to Anderson's ballad art- listened to a lot of it, which is not at all sur- istry on such numbers as Why Did I Choose prising when you consider that she is mar- RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT You? and Old Folks. ried to Bob Thiele, a veteran jazz record RON CARTER: Patrick Ron Carter (bass); The accompaniment by Monty Alexan- producer. He is credited with producing this Chet Baker (trumpet); Kenny Barron (pi- der, Ray Brown, and Frank Gant is flaw- album as well as the Bessie Smith tribute. ano); Jack DeJohnette (drums); Nana Vas- less; the recording is excellent. It all adds up Greatly enhanced by the presence of concelos (percussion); other musicians. Ah, to a lot more than $8.98. C.A. Benny Carter's alto saxophone (which car- Rio; Nearly; Yours Truly; and two others. ries the set's only instrumental, Sophisti- MILESTONE M-9099 $7.98. TERESA BREWER: A Sophisticated Lady. cated Lady), Shelly Manne's quintet does a Teresa Brewer (vocals); Shelly Manne and commendable job of accompaniment, but I Performance Slightly Latin Recording Very good Bassist Ron Carter is one of the most reliable players around. That is to say, his mu- ERNESTINE ANDERSON: sic is consistently interesting and substan- a voice to make a tial; he cares about his albums-which he more heralded singers produces himself-and never ceases to ex- weep with envy plore new avenues. Add to that his phenom-

U enal skill as a bassist, and you have an artist whose records are invariably worth listening to. "Patric)" contains five selections, two of which feature a Latin -flavored septet with guitaristsAmaury TristaoandAloisio Aguiar and the superb percussionist Nana Vasconcelos (whom we know from several ECM releases with Egberto Gismonti). On the remaining three we hear a more conventional quartet with Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Barron, and Chet Baker, but there is nothing conventional about the music. Baker and Barron ought to be heard together more often; their rapport is particularly striking on the very beautiful Yours Truly, which, like all the rest, was written by Carter. Ba- ker also appears in the septet; his playing is at times reminiscent of the early, muted Miles Davis, at other times recalling his (Continued on page 122)

120 STEREO REVIEW manz;is:The smart shopper's guide to NEW 1982 EDITION tape gear: STEREO REVIEW'S TAPE RECORDING &BUYING GUIDE If you're looking for a new tape deck,by Hirsch -Houck Labs provide tech- Ell car stereo cassette player or videonical measurements and unbiased cassette recorder, you know how con-recommendations for decks from 11 II 111 III fusing shopping can be. WithNakamichi, Teac, Hitachi, Tandberg, hundreds of brands, models, featuresTechnics and other manufacturers. and prices to choose from, it's hard to You'll also find information on know where to start! video cassette recorders. "An Audio- Stereo Review's TAPEphile's Guide to Video Cassette Re- RECORDING AND BUYINGcorders" discusses the pros and cons GUIDE will help you sort everythingof both the VHS and Beta formats out. It explains tape equipment and...tuners and timers... features... how it works. Suggests features you'llportable VCRs. Buying guide charts want...and others you don't need.for table and portable models make Discusses the advantages of noise -comparisons easy. reduction systems. Tells how to Make your tape equipment match a tape to your tape deck.shopping easier. Get your copy of Offers tips and techniques for makingStereo Review's TAPE RECORD- more professional recordings. AndING AND BUYING GUIDE provides an easy guide to the lan-today. Just return the coupon below! guage of tape recording. Comparison shopping becomes a simple matter when you use the TAPE RECORDING & 1 TAPE RECORDING AND BUY- BUYING GUIDE ING GUIDE's product listings. Dept. 01668 P.O. Box 278, Pratt Station Nearly every brand and model on the Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205 market is listed and you'll find speci- 671 e/gieD19B8JYTIM fications, features and prices for: YES! 'It'''s8Rsgrcsi Cassette tape decks GUIDE. Enclosed is $3.95 ($2.95* plus $1.00 Open -reel tape decks postage and handling). Outside U.S.A. $5.00. Video cassette recorders

Car stereo equipment (please print) Headphones Mr./Mrs./Ms. Microphones Mixers Address Apt. Signal processors Blank tape City Accessories A special section looks at several State/Zip cassette and open -reel tape decks in *Residents of CA, CO, DC, FL, IL, MA, MI, MO, NY State, OH, SC, TN and VT add applicable sales detailed test reports. Laboratory tests tax. own workon the classic pianoless quartet sides of nearly three decades ago. It should come as no surprise to Carter fans that the highlight of this album is the leader's own playing. It is a source of constant amazement to me how Ron Carter handles his bass, the seeming ease with da\ which he bends, twists, and wraps fat, rich pone,for a notes around his melodies while never miss- upthe ask ing a beat. Chalk up another win for Ron p\ck 0,and lust ntcneb. Carter. C.A. -tree you this to\\ Ihi,\\ ou'v eost quo to BOB COOPER AND THE MIKE WOF- us Want. source V.fiR.t.G.,,E.kyr2,sk .\\st)you FORD TRIO: The Music of Michel Le - SA.1.0 money" I) e. \s*Pak grand.Bob Cooper(saxophone);Mike Congrato\ahonsa ectopcnent. A G \deo than cnonth's? NI Wofford (piano); Jim Plank (drums, per- better to cussion); Tom Azarello (bass). To Love; dscoveredand are eas\er stereopnces Ao-0CP,2-199* Her Hair; Watch What Happens; Siren for Our Ouch \tie' re titk\M kea) Song; and four others.DISCOVERYDS -822 and speaKe booKsheli rete,%\ - 0\10 -ItSestj .....S1450. $8.98. Ftsit boOkstlell voth.

de a\ steceo 10-Octi,3ANallea) odoof Performance Good S.115 Poneer S69.95* PINAIVIsit... speaNcevFM- 0compact Recording: Good iii6% FM de\oe OG-13pushbuttonsP1/4140 5 G :85. $299. This is a pleasant tribute to the soft-spoken Sanyo \nash 3aPrkaon.C.-)11.S. steveo cassette, tse.A4.59 talent of Michel Legrand. The saxophone 03-650 GtoaNntoeclonl der cassette, ela55 has always figuredprominentlyinLe - Ponee( to . I pottable Or steteo fx Pc)(tabe grand's arrangements, and Bob Cooper's mint ... cassette Ftki.-500tecotdet playing is technically and stylistically faith- SuP°tuflecSteC1-210pushbuttons.NatticjIaliceo_ Poneef 9/30/81. Jensen 40 :O. cassette0..tant6es after fulto the sentimental, slightly too -sweet cassette, veac100 wivied change kiA-720 ay1. * to material. What's always made Legrand's , 60al cool% SUbiect kenliood ...$ PtICeS 1000ISA' music a bit special to me is his ability to re belt-dtWe 114 suggest musically what I guess everyone's 20. icact6dgeaybooKstle\E

*l*C ble SA19. adolescent reveries were like-sugary fan- t\-Aat B -10G11. tasies long on hearts and flowers, short on 38k-L-Agketal sPea SiA5/9 logic and substance. However, eight tracks ed C/vNe' 02368 of swooning saxophones and swooping mel- 211e 1,14tP li.1 Bando P odies proved a bit more than my ear could stomach. And this is only Volume 1of a projected series. CIRCLE NO. 54 ON READER SERVICE CARD P.R.

411., AFFIX OLD LABEL AP' AL DIMEOLA/JOHN McLAUGHLIN/ PACO DELUCIA: Friday Night in San Ft you have no label handy, print OLD address herel Francisco. Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin, Name Paco DeLucia(guitars).Mediterranean (please print) Sundance/Rio Ancho; Short Tales of the Address Apt Black Forest; Frevo Rasgado; and two others.COLUMBIA City FC 37152, © FCT 37152, Please let us know 8 weeks in advance so you no list price. won't miss a single issue of STEREO REVIEW. Itate Zip Attach old label where indicated and print new Performance:Buncombe address in space provided. Also include your NEW ADDRESS HERE BCOA Recording: Excellent mailing label whenever you write us about your subscription. It helps us serve you promptly. Name Gentle readers and listeners are hereby ad- Write to: P.O. Box 2771, Boulder, CO 80322, (please print) vised that this album consists of forty min- giving the following information: Address Apt utes and seventeen seconds of three whiz D Change address only guitarists apparently trying to determine City which of them can play the fastest flamenco 0 Extend subscription 0 Enter new subscription State Zip run. So intent are they on displaying their 0 1 year (12 issues) $9.98 E Bill me later Foreign postage: Add $1 a year for Canada. $5 a year (cash payment in virtuosity that not one moment of real emo- Payment enclosed (You get 1 extra BONUS U.S.currency only) for other countries outside U.S. and possessions. issue -13 issues in all!) Please allow 30 to 60 days for delivery of first issue. tion is allowed; with all the dazzling zip, the resultissterility. Not that the audience minded-the Pavlovian cheers and screams from the good folk gathered at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco are a perfect match for the musicians. I'm sure that the AMERICAN AUDIO ticket buyers and the entertainers alike had an inspirational evening of showing off their WE WILL "BEAT" ANY PRICE conditioned reflexes. J.V. TAL FARLOW: Trilogy. Tal Farlow (gui- IN THIS MAGAZINE!!! tar); Mike Nock (piano); Lynn Christie (bass). My Shining Hour; Flamingo; There Is No Greater Love; Angel Eyes; But Not for Me; and four others.INNER CITYIC CALLTOLL FREEr 1099 $8.98, © TIC 1099 $8.98. Performance:Excellent (800) 526-2290 Recording:Good Offer Expires 30 Days From Pub. Date Guitarist Tal Farlow first made his mark on Merchandise Must Be In Stock. the professional music scene in the late For -

STEREO REVIEW ties when he became one of 52nd Street's many bopping, swinging denizens. The jazz audio... world perked up its ears when it heard him in the Red Norvo Trio, sharing original ideas with bassist Charles Mingus. To- :rick -7* day -back on the scene with some regulari- ty after two decades of semiretirement- 411 Farlow is as strong and lucid an improviser io as ever. "Trilogy" offers a good demonstration of his current style, although it is not a 411 new recording. It was made in 1976 for the

Japanese market, as are so many of the sessions released here on Inner City. 111 Except for Funk Among the Keys, this is a trio session with pianist Mike Nock and bassist Lynn Christie. These three men play SAVE MONEY TIME FREIGHT 111 with a rapport that brings to mind the work of the late, lamented Modern Jazz Quartet. ON NAME BRANDS The odd track adds drummer Bob Jaspe Clititik,TrE TAPE. and features Farlow with uncharacteristic AKA1 CASSETTE DECKS electronic "enhancements." Itis the set's SONY E15-90 HIGH BIAS TAPE 28.00/10 41, MODEL G5F-35GK HEAD DECK $257.00 SONY FER-90 HIGH BIAS ERWIN 28.00/10 only Farlow original, a sort of heavy stomp MODEL GK -F130 SOLENOIDCASSDECK350.00 TDK MA -C90 METAL CASSETTE TAPE $64.00/10 111 TDK SAX -C-90 NEW FREELY TAPE 44.00/10 through ripples of Miles Davis' bitch's ADC SOUNDSHAPERS brew. That's not surprising, for the album's TDK CD -C-90°pram,'STD. BIAS .9*. 35.00/10 41, MODEL SS -110 MARK II EQUALIZER. $150.00 TDK SA -C90 SUPER AVALIN TAPE 29.50/10 produceris Teo Macero, the man who WELLSS -2MARK 111 12 BAND EQ 217.00 TDK SA -C60 SUPER AVALIN TAPE 22.50/10gib helped shape the rejuvenated and at times MODEL SS -3 MARK II TOP OF LINE* 329.00 TDK C-90AD NEW AUDUATAPE 22.00/10 w BASF C-90 PROFEBSICNAL TYPE I****$26.50/10 as slightly juvenile sound of Miles Davis in the B.1.0 SPECIALS BASF PRO II OR III C-90 SPECIFY .629.00/10 W Flower Age. But so what if Funk Among the MOOEL ITE-200 TOWERLOUDSPEAKER $ 90.00 MAXEY.. C-90 LN LION NOISE TAPE $23.50/12 Agi DYNAMIC 23.00/12 Er 111 MODEL TIE -400 TONER LOUDSPEAKER 150.00 MULLC-60UO ULTRA Keys is not up to Farlow's standard? When MAKELL C-901.0 LLTRA DYNAMIC 29.50/12 gik the rest of the album is so fine, one tiny in- DUAL IIENTABLES - LOW MASS LNITS! MAKE= UO,KL-C60 TYPE I OR II **** 29.50/12 gir discretion is forgivable. C.A. ICCEL 506 SEMI -AUTO BELT DRIVE $129.00 MAX ELL LEI -XL C-90 TYPE I OR II 39.50/12 Aft MODEL 1264 FULL AUTO w/ STACKER 169.00 SCCMCH C-90 MASTER TYPE 2 OR 3 31.50/10lip 411 WRITE OR CALL FOR ALL OTHER DUALS!!!!!! HEEL. TO REEL. TAPE C. W. C. HANDY:Father of the Blues. W. TDK 1X-35-90 NEW 71N. $80.00/10111 Handy (vocals, guitar, trumpet); vocal and JVC ELECTRONICS - TAPE DECKS -enc. TDK LX -35-18(M NEW 10 1/2 IN 170.00/10 instrumental accompaniment. Joe Turner; WRITE OR CALL FOR SUMMERTIME PORTABLES! MAX ELL LD-35-90 ULTRA DYNAMIC 7' 57.50/10111 MAXELL LD-35-180 SAME CV 10 1/2" Mr. Crump; Way Down South Where the MODEL DC.5 NEW DECK W/ Dolby BO $WRITE 153.00/10 MAXELL LO-KL-35-9013 BACMDATEDXL 69.50/10 LA -31 NEW TURNTABLE BARGAIN ! CALL! Blues Began; Beale Street Blues; St. Louis MOLL UD-KL-1808 SAME ON 10 1/2 198.50/10 KERNOOD DEALS - WRITE FOR OTHER MODELS! SOMIXI 2078-90 FULY-F06ITRAK *** 55.00/10 SL 5192 Blues; and three others. DRG 111 soma207 H-180 10 1/2 IN 170.00/10 $7.98, © SLC 5192 $7.98. KR -605) SUPER RECEIVER DEAL .6* $299.00 EL -2000 TOP CASSETTE DECK DEAL. 430.00 VIDEO TAPE 111 Performance: Evocative SCOTCH 0-500 BETA TYPE tamoopo

Recording: Good SR -6000 SUPER RECEIVER DEAL 6*. $360.00 SCOTCH 0-750 BETA TAPE 130.00/10 41) SD -9000 2 -SPEED CASSETTE DECK 520.00 SCORCH T-120 VHS TYPE 140.00/10411 NOTE: FUJI NOW IN STOCK AT DOW PRICES By the time these recordings were made in PIONEEER DEALS 1952 and 1953, W. C. Handy had entered ALUM) TECHNICA CARTS. STANTON CARTRIDGES 411 SX -3700 SUPER RECEIVER DEAL...* $219.00 ROMS:FT55R5C-1175700- into his twenty-fifth year as a respected CTF-550 DELIKE CASSETTE DECK 120.00 MODEL 140 -LC 60.00 681 -FEES 60.50411 public figure. In 1938 he had published his 111 HRI-500 LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM 105.00 MODEL 125 -LC 40.00 6111 -FEE 52.00

autobiography, Father of the Blues, and he SAt4SUIal )cracrinc SHIRE CARTRICGES EIRECARTRIDGES 39002 DIGITAL RECEIVER DEAL /258.00 V-15 TYPE 4 WRITE! E[ll-9 $110.00 had been interviewed on the Believe It or 411 89002 -08 RECEIVER W/ DOLBY' 66* 560.00 V-115 TYPE 3HE 70.00 LAC -600 80.00 Not radio program as "the inventor of M-97 HE 49.50 2000E-3 25.00 jazz." In the years since his death in 1958 SONYSUPER DEALS ! !! SHIRE 9095ED $20 WITH TLENTABLE PURCHASE !!!411 he has been both hailed as a saint and gent- STR -V55 RECEIVER CLOSEOUT ! 9.. $329.00 AUDOMOTIVESTEREO

111 PSK -65 TURNTABLE CLOSEOUT ! 254.00 ly debunked. WRITE OR CALL FOR NEW 1982 MODELS AND $ PIONEER KE-5100 ELELINDNIK READOUT $210.00 PICNEEN KP-8500 AM -FM CASSETTE In truth, Handy was neither the father of 140.00 TEAC CASSETTE DECK DEALS!! TS -695 6x9 3 -WAY SPKR. SYSTEMS...* 82.PR the blues nor the inventor of jazz, but a 15-6966x9 2 -WAY SPMR. SYSTEWS6*** 64.00 MODEL 01 -400 SUPERDFAL CASSETTE 199.00 WRITE FOR AIL PIONEER ALMCNOTIVEPRICES!!!! well -trained, talented, and determined pop- MODEL 550-IE CASSETTE W/ dbx 353.00 ular -song writer. He might have been much JENSEN R-405 AM -FMIN DASHCASS... 168.00111 411 TECHNICS ELCEPRONICS JENSEN J-1033 6x9 TRIAKO IISMIRS 79.00 happier as a black Irving Berlin or Jerome faMODEL FLSM-240( DE CASSETTE DK. 232.00 JENSEN J-1037 6x9 CO -AX 114, SMHS., 60.00

Kern or if he had written a waltz like After RS11-260 NEW 3 HEAD CASSETTE DK. 252.00 WRITE OR CALL FOR0111ERSINCLUDING94lY!!!!! the Ball or a march to equal Sousa's The SLB-101 NIX BELT TURNTABLE 71.00 REAM:WIVES 111 41) SLIT -202 SEMI AUICMATIC TABLE *. 109.50 Stars and Stripes Forever. He was very 411 SEE A BETTER PRICE ? LET US RAM !!!!!! WES MODELHV-K STEREOFECNES 841.50

much a contributor to, and a product of, the 11E6MODEL.HV-KIC " 49.50 KOSS I4W3-4AAA " 47.50 Tin Pan Alley genre of the early 1900s, and SUINEEISER HD -414 HEADPHONES $45.00 perhaps the worst thing that ever happened SONYMDR3 LIGHTWEIGHTS 32.00411 to him was his success as a "blues" compos- 111 er; it frustrated him for the rest of his life. Nothing so well typifies Handy's musical 411

ideas and period as The Big Stick Blues, 01116011era which he sings on this album. Written

12 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago60611 around 1948 (there are references to Harry

Truman's civil-rights bill and the two world 9 wars), it was an outgrowth of a triumphal Phone Now 0 send for free catalog march he wrote in 1904 in honor of Theo- (312) dore Roosevelt. While itis charming and 664-0020 naivelybellicose,musicallyitisfirmly Name rooted in the turn -of -the century style. TOLL FREE Address Some of the statements Handy makes in (800) City the spoken tracks on this album are ludi- 621-8042

crous to modern ears. He describes the rag- State Zip

time era as "syncopation without much

CIRCLENO.25 ON READER SERVICECARD SEPTEMBER1981 123 vacation and wound up singing in clubs in Paris and Monte Carlo, then on the London stage with Paul Robeson inShow Boat.The eleven numbers in this album were culled from her later London appearances, by which time the microphone was a common fixture on pop stages; its use enabled Hunt- er to make her style (her singing is really the epitome of that word) even more intimate than it had been. Most of the time here she has no trouble making each song her own, whether it's the wistful Two Cigarettes in the Dark,the hauntingBe Still My Heart,or Noel Cow- ard's melancholyI Travel Alone.But when it comes to the special kind of humor of Cole Porter'sMiss Otis Regrets,she's no match for Ethel Waters. Despite that lapse, as a souvenir of a legendary performer in a legendarytime(theback cover shows Hunter in London with her chums Bricktop, grappelli/grisman Mabel Mercer, and Woolworth heir Jimmy Donahue), this is a welcome release.P.K. THE high point of many David Grisman MistyandSweet GeorgiaBrown, Mike ETTAJONES: Save Your Love for Me. Quintet concerts these days is the seg- Marshall gets a mandolin break, and Rob Etta Jones (vocals); Houston Person (tenor ment in which the group plays together with Wasserman plays just about perfect bass saxophone); Cedar Walton (piano); George jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, and a new throughout. O'Connor is an excellent violin- Duvivier (bass); other musicians.Georgia live recording from Warner Bros. captures ist and an incredible guitar player, and at on My Mind; East of the Sun; Let's Beat some of that magic. Perhaps it took a whole an age so young it's obscene. Grappelli Out Some Love; The Man That Got Away; quintet to succeed Django Reinhardt as plays, as always, with robust verve. His tone and four others. MUSE MR 5214 $7.98. Grappelli's partner, but they're getting the is as sweet as it is unmistakable, but there's job done and then some. Grappelli intro- nothing tentative about it, and if he's lost Performance Succinct ducesTiger Raghere as the first composi- anything over the years, he must have been Recording Good tion he played with Reinhardt, back in 1934, absolutely awesome when he was younger. Female jazzvocalistsprobably enjoyed then lapses into a mild coughing fit; recov- He and the quintet complement each other their greatest popularity in the late Fifties ering, he says, "When Iremember how just about as well asI can imagine. Not and early Sixties, when the likes of Dakota tough 1934 was, eet make me cough." The many living legends have a setting so close Staton, Lorez Alexandria, and Nancy Wil- tune has been rearranged for a second vio- to the ideal. -Noel Coppage son became regular voices on the FM band lin, played by the quintet's Mark O'Connor. along with such predecessors as Peggy Lee, All of the other selections are familiar too Dinah Washington, and June Christy. IfI except for a medley of three Grisman com- STEPHANE GRAPPELLI/DAVID GRIS- left out your favorite, forgive me-there positions at the end that show a Klezmer/ MAN:Live.Stephane Grappelli (violin); were so many of them in those days, weav- gypsy feel for minor chords, thus evoking an David Grisman (mandolin); Mike Marshall ing in and out of styles evolved from the Eastern European atmosphere. Seems ap- (mandolin, guitar); Mark O'Connor (gui- foundations laid by Bessie Smith, Louis propriate in that it rounds out the violin tar, violin); Rob Wasserman (bass); Tiny Armstrong, Billie Holiday, and others. statement, which, of course, is featured. Moore (electric mandolin).Shine; Pent -Up Having come along in the mid -Forties, Grisman plays second soloist, but the House; Misty; Sweet Georgia Brown; Tiger Etta Jones was no newcomer in those later others in his fine group aren't relegated to Rag; Satin Doll; Swing '42; Tzigani/Fisz- days, but she did enjoy a comeback of sorts playing only rhythm: besides the fiddling, torza/Fulginiti.WARNER BROS. BSK 3550 withDon't Go to Strangers,a 1960 Prestige O'Connor gets a couple of guitar breaks in $7.98, © M5 3550 $7.98. hit. It has not exactly been all peaches and cream for her since then, but she has stuck to the style prevalent twenty years ago and is still a master of it. "Save Your Love for Me" is Jones' fourth album for Muse, and again she is accompanied by a group under melody" and recalls a childhood trip to RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT the leadership of tenor saxophonist Houston Mississippi where he "heard the crude sing- Person. The result is most pleasing to the ing of the Negro." Despite his recurring ALBERTAHUNTER: The London Ses- ears; the voice is still strong and authorita- pomposity, Handy's narration (like his sing- sions -1934.Alberta Hunter (vocals); Jack tive, the accompaniment (with Cedar Wal- ing) is quite entertaining and warm, and the Jackson and His Orchestra.Two Cigarettes ton's piano) is impeccable, and the program facts seem less important than the mood. in the Dark; What Shall I Do?; Soon; is familiar without being trite. Could one Whether or not his tales of how he came to Where the Mountains Meet the Sea; A ask for more? Yes, but chances of getting it write and St. Louis Blues Memphis Blues Lonely Singing Fool; Long May We Love; these days are slim. C.A. are strictly accurate, they are wonderful and five others. DRG SL 5195 $7.98. stories. The man was gutsy, as he needed to CHUCK MANGIONE:Tarantella.Chuck be to start a music publishing company to Performance Stunningly styled Recording Good remastering Mangione (flugelhorn, electric piano); Diz- compete with the New York houses in the zy Gillespie (trumpet, jew's harp); Chick early 1900s, and his two attacks of blind- Back in 1934, at the same time Josephine Corea (acoustic and electric pianos, trum- ness (the second one permanent) didn't slow Baker was knocking them out in Paris, an- pet, percussion); other musicians.Tarantel- him down at all. Even if the honorary titles other beautiful black singer, Alberta Hunt- las; The Xlth Commandment Suite; Bel- assigned him were inaccurate, even if some er, was in London appearing at the Dor- lavia; Manteca; All Blues;and six others. of his claims are invalid, and even if he was chesterwithJackJackson'sorchestra, A& M SP -6513 two discs $11.98, © CS - more of an entrepreneur than a creator, it is bending the ballads of the moment to her 6713 S11.98,e8T-6713 $11.98. nothisfault that the world praised him for will and leaving the customers breathless the wrong reasons. This valuable record is with admiration. After her debut at a Chi- Performance For fans not an accurate documentary, but it is cer- cago bordello in1908, Hunter sang with Recording: Good tainly a most revealing portrait of an in- Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Fats This two -disc set contains selections from triguing personality. J.V. Waller. In 1925 she went to Europe for a Chuck Mangione's benefit concert in Roch-

124 STEREO REVIEW ester for the victims of the recent Italian earthquakes and from an eight -hour jam session that immediately followed it. De- CONSTANTLY spite the presence of such stars as Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Charles Meeks, and others, there just isn't enough musical substance or inventiveness displayed here to BETTER sustaininterest throughfour very long sides. Mangione provides some solid enter- Clarion PE 751 C Pioneer CT -9R Akai GX-77 tainment, notably in Tarantellas and Leg- end of the One -Eyed Sailor, but much of $507 the rest is more of a reflection of a dominant '217Irril,17-:'419 Double E performing personality and bottomless en- Equalizer ergy than of real music making. P.R. 1 it 1011Delo), Ribbon Sendust Heads Dust Ccver Optional RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT Technics SLDLI MARIAN McPARTLAND/TEDDI KING: Sony STR VX6 Marantz Marian Remembers Teddi. Marian McPart- s224,041ix HD880 land (piano); Teddi King (vocals); Rusty Gilder (bass); Eric Nebbia (drums). A Fine '217 Romance; Sometimes I'm Happy; Skylark; Linear While We're Young; By Myself; Baby, Call for Price Tracking Won't You Please Come Home; Always; But Not for Me; Little Girl Blue; and eight others.HALCYON HAL 118two discs Weekdays 9-9 $10.98 (from Halcyon Records, P.O. Box TOLL FREE 800-356-9514 Saturdays 9-5 256, Merrick, N.Y. 11566). Performance Classic Over 100 Brands like: Recording Good Technics MaxellSony Cerwin Acutex "Marian Remembers Teddi" is a recording Pioneer Empire Teac Vega Craig of an absolutely marvelous concert by Mar- Marantz Altec Akai )13L Scotch ian McPartland and the late Teddi King at B.I.C. Kenwood Sharp Dual Audio WISCONSIN DISCOUNT STEREO the New York Public Library in 1973. The Sansui PhillipsKoss Technica Stanton concert was intended "to create an aural Jensen Shure TDKClarion Pickering 2411 w. badger rd. nadison, wi 53713 supplementtoAlecWilder's landmark book, American Popular Song," butit stands very well on its own as a pop -jazz CIRCLE NO59 ON READER SERVICE CARD classic. That it is also a master class for as- piring instrumentalists or vocalists in how to combine nonchalance, style, and musi- TOLL FREE cianship is a not -so -incidental plus. (800)223-2706 As she always did, Teddi King here illu- JENSEN 8405 AIRS /AM.6owner* minates everything she touches with her s AWiY pershaana Menai A roma/VIM* what= STEREO MAMMON! magical technique and voice. McPartland's CAP STEREO Seenern Wino & fade oretrels KE X 20 219.9 Kea Pre 4AAA 44$ piano seems at times a bit straightforward SPX 9500 1E9 99 Kea 14VX.411 ....4409 42.11 1(8X 9000 158 99 Kam NVJ and pedestrian in supporting the elegant, 29.99 KE 5100 219.99 Nimmvo CAR STEREO SLAUPUNKT CAN STEREO Ks KS . Saminei 111243111 72.11 KP 8500 149 99 CALL FOR LOW PRICES blithe -spirited King approach, but that's 52.59 KP 7500... 186 99 F T-2211 221111 ON ALL USOELS Saarniker 110120 ,311 1 Semi HD414 . .47.11 about my only complaint. For the time cap- KP-651S 15949 F114,19 Setaibline 11041111 . . P(P4INO 136-99 14219 PANASONIC CAR STEREO nil sule: a performance of Cole Porter's In the FTCF.IS 14199 See/ M1111-7 .. .BIN UKP.2200 Onnotts/ 121 49 COS -MID 341 99 FTC -0/ Sony 111111R -le .. 4511 Still of the Night that pulses with restless- UKR4200 (Imports/ 135.99 COS 211 266.99 FTC-12 Sony 01:10-3 .. .34.99 MEP 7200 Deports/ 151.49 COS -71113 ... 242 99 ness and desire and one of While We're FTC4 1113.112-1911111 Audio Teems ATM? 10111 UK, 5600 (Imports) .. 171.19 CC1S7E1 222 .99 FTC.. 0409 Aged lo T4cAmies AT144 51.99 012Power 1011p 34.1111 COS -7E6 2.9 99 Young that shimmers with the fleeting but FTC1 Sin Aotho Tarim= AT112 39.99 GIA-4 Pavel Amp 61.19 COS -742 119 99 PA41111 Pam A.. . 169.99 lovely light of fireflies drifting in a summer C Equaluar 9.99 Las 737 164 99 E024211 Emakee SIN PH0110 CARTRIDGES AO 3 Fulaknip 94 99 COS 700 1 /7 99 night. Simply beautiful. P.R. Shure V 15 Type IV ....111.19 AD -64 EMIline 144.49 Shun V 15 Typo RINE ... 11 99 TS-11111Sem6in 110.111/pi 0 1SCWASH E R JENSEN CAR STEREO Shure MITHE 56-911 TS -695 Speakers 0-4 Record Cm Sown 10 99 ALL MODELS IN STOCK Se... 1117.1!.411 911.01 TS.167 SpealArs 41.41AR 0441(1, 36.99 RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT CALL FOR THOSE NOT LISTED Sewn 1111111411 29.09 ISIS/Smokers 13.99/p. DimOttetem 9 99 RAM hone Gomm thin 155.91 Aueek Togirle AT41111C 1111.111 TiX11 SP44mo 141.19/1 12Stot 6 99 R402 Mime Lamm Unit 131.91 Audis Technena AT 144LC 111149 JAY McSHANN: Tuxedo Junction. Jay TS.X11 Spann 191.99/1 04 Rea 1 az . 249 1416 EllAIM 2111111 Aufhar7w/ww AT 1 25LC 31.59 D4 Real 5 or 7 99 Rim El 11411mehers roam 5041 3 44.99 McShann (piano); Don Thompson (bass). Cf2A I G CAR STE RE 0 04 RAN 16 at 10 99 Cam II Id SWIMS 910. Empa4e0TC 22.99 714.99 Tuxedo Junction; One Sided Love; Robbins Till Cam II In" neners 64.1111* Ernpre 3001E 10.99 111.911 Till Can II 4K" Spain .. USW 91060 Pickering XSV 500( 105.91 Nest; Froggy Bottom; Gee, Baby, Ain't I 0.2111 11199 Null 121/1 A4Y6116.2111911 Mike GeNe.14110 Pickering X5514017( 76.11 0111 141_96 Good to You; and two others. SACKVILLE Came 141 Imams . . rt= TIM T-120 (VHS) 1141 Pickenrq XSV 31110( 55-9I R.542 1199 Enamel 4.11 Sleeken . 62.1111/po TIE HG 121 111110) 1111 R.5111 74.N 3025 $7.98 (plus $1 postage and handling Ceemrl 4.10 Spapeen 411.1111 91160 7 120 (VHS) 1111 0 IDERING INSTRUCTIONS 0-551 124.99 Id Sep. Spoken JIIIN54.11/1 Fee T ILO (VHS) .. 14.10 charge from Sackville Recordings, P.O. .16 areoey 6rash, Sem 75011Ia1.) 9.11 AN averchando Box 87, Station J, Toronto, Ontario M4J maxell SLANK TAPES TOK BLANK TAPES Sem I 13 Metal 1140 with woof actor.. s warwrnY Send UOXL.II C N 3.39 SA C-14 LN Moo, Order or Cashew's Cheols Igo Fuji MI6 Man 111.111 shleanamt *anon 24hourt Add duo 4X8, Canada). UDXL.II C-64 2.49 SA C40 2.29 FM L-751 Nen 9111 AD CIO 241 pen, Ow. SA 75 Nano Oct and UOXL 1 C-111 339 Canda add Kra of ordea Personal UOXL I Ca 240 AD C40 1 79 Performance Excellent Cheeksheld3 swain Conon.. L79 O C-91 1 If U0 C-91 RECORDS& TAPES Serve.14of ine 1212161119069 1.119 D CM 121 Recording. Very good UD C60 We aery a Ana of Sherwood. U O 15 IBM 1777,4 .. 1141 10-35.1000 Ned 1149 Write for FREE *suing Humor. It artisanNrisko Some, ea up 35 150 Seel 10-35.100 Rae 1121 LeirlIkallkicuon of all wan es Sony klotn.boon.C...... cod Jay McShann's robust Kansas City key- UD 35 909 96el L X 36.906 Reel 171 Rock. Mn, R I 6, Clareicel COliard C..StereosCall for low. board style is entirely to my liking. His 110 3590 R rei 5.45 L X.3541 NW 145 low ocoes choice of material is wide-ranging and sophisticated, and he goes at the tunes with WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG hearty appetite and infectious bonhomie. CALL TOLL FREE It's great fun to hear him casually but con- (800)223-2706 fidently display his close to fifty years' ex- Alt -P 110 ran qiic Ellec4.06-.4©ff perience. He's joined on this set by bassist 1263 Bioudwuk New York N Y 1000' [2121686-5500

SEPTEMBER 1981 CIRCLE NO2 ON READER SERVICE CARD Don Thompson, who shares McShann's unmelodiousoutburstsnotwithstanding, pleasure in giving pleasure as they caper "Winter Moon" is an album that could through the late Mary Lou Williams' Frog- have been made in the late Fifties. Stanley gyBottom,ErskineHawkins'Tuxedo Cowell heads the rhythm section, which Junction, Duke Ellington's grand Do Noth- also contains the fine talent of Cecil McBee, in' Till You Hear from Me, and Don Red- but they play too subordinate a role. While man's Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You the album ispleasant enough,ithas a (which isn't heard as often as it should be). blandness about it that belies the high level There are also two McShann originals, One of musicianship present. C.A. FOR Sided Love and Barrelhouse Bolero, along THE LOWEST with Illinois Jacquet's Robbins Nest. This is LEE RITENOUR:Rit.Lee Ritenour (vo- good-time piano. J.V. cals, guitar); instrumental accompaniment. PRICE ON Mr. Briefcase; No Sympathy; Countdown SONY® RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT (Captain Fingers); On the Slow Glide; and fiveothers. ELEKTRA 6E-331$7.98, CD -800-32705913 Ext. 2 ANNE MARIE MOSS:Don't You Knew TC5-331 $7.98, 0 ET8-331 $7.98. Me?Anne Marie Moss (vocals); Mike Ren- SONY Color TV's Performance Fair (Call for Lowest Price) zi,Jim McNeely (piano); Bob Zottola KV-4000, 3 7" color portable/Electronic search (trumpet,flugelhorn); Jerry Dodgion Recording. Good KV-4100. 3 7" color ptble /AM -FM radio/Micro- cassette recorder (flute,tenorsaxophone);Eddie Gomez Some years ago Lee Ritenour made at least KV-5200. 5" color portable/Express tuning KV-8100. 7 7" color portable/Express tuning (bass); Randy Jones (drums); other musi- one album in which he tried very hard to KV-9400. 9" color ptble /Elec tuning system cians. My Romance; Baltimore Oriole;demonstrate his jazz chops. Now he has KV-1207. 12" color ptble /Exptuning/30-P chassis Corner of the Sky; I'm Old Fashioned;taken to "fusion," and judging by this new KV-1217, 12" color/14-pushbutton elec. tuning How Long Has This Been Going On? and album, it would be hard to tell that he'd KV-1221R. 12" color/Exp tuning/remote cont KV-1515. 15" color/infrared remote/cble ready three others. STASH ST 211 $7.98. ever had much interest in jazz. Ritenour has KV-1545RS. 15"color/infrared remote/cble been blessed with excellent technique as a ready Performance: Wonderful KV-1715R. 17" color/Exp tuning/infrared rmte Recording: Very good guitarist, but he lacks ideas. The "Rit" ma- KV-1913. 19" color/V R presetting/Exp tuning terial he wrote with Eric Tagg is throwaway KV-1923. 19" color/Exp tuning/Semi-auto presetting Anne Marie Moss is a Canadian who first stuff, and his vocalsinfringe on Stevie KV-1945RS.19"color/Exptuning/infrared came to the United States as a vocalist with Wonder's patents. I suspect that Ritenour is rmte /Cable ready KV-1946R. 19" color/infrared rmte /5 -LED vol the Maynard Ferguson band. She and her looking for an ingratiating sound that will indicator husband, singer Jackie Paris, formed a duo ease him into the big time a la George Ben- KV-2145R. 21" color/Exp tuning/scan syst 30-P chassis that appeared widely on the club circuit son, but right now he sounds like a fancy KV-2145R. 21color/Exp tuning; Rmte 'Cabie throughout the Sixties, and Anne Marie did lounge act on the Los Angeles steakhouse ready KV-2602. 26 color/Exp tuning/scan syst a brief stint as part of Lambert, Hendricks,circuit. J.V. 30-P chassis and Moss. But in the Seventies the sound of KV-2645RS. 26- color/10-key tun 8 rmte /Ma- disco drowned out almost everything else, trix stereo sound BILLY TAYLOR:Where've You Been?Bil- KV2647R,26"/Scanningsyst Exp and the clubs where Moss could be heard ly Taylor (piano); Joe Kennedy (violin); Rmte 'Cable ready became smaller and more remote. KV-2648R 26 Scanning syst Matrix sound VictorGaskin(bass);KeithCopeland Rmte Cable ready Moss has her loyal followers, though, and (drums). All Alone; Capricious; Antoi- SONY Projection TV's there are bound to be more of them now nette; Ray's Tune; and four others. CON- (Call for Lowest Price) KP-5000. KP-7200 50 8 72screen/1-piece/ that she has made her first recording. She CORD JAZZ CJ -I45 $8.95. Infrared remote has an arrestingly attractive voice, and, KP-5020. KP-7220. 50" 8 72" screen/2-piece Performance Excellent design Exp tuning though she remains true to the mood and s()NM Video Recorders melody of every song she sings, she per- Recording Very good (Call for Lowest Price) forms amazing feats of improvisation, twist- HOME SL -5800. Betamax wbetascan pic Pianist Billy Taylor's new Concord album, search/Remote control ing and turning a line with extraordinary"Where've You Been?", reminds me of the PORTABLE SL -3000. LghtwtBetamax:1.5, art and bringing to everything hereMer- recording/Cue function very first recordings I heard by him. They SONY Video Tapes cer and Kern, Rodgers and Hart, the were made by the late Timme Rosenkrantz (Call for Lowest Price) Gershwins-a contagious, almost timeless at a 1947 Town Hall concert in New York L-500. L-250, L-750. L-830 We also carry a complete line of fervor. The album's program, in whichand featured Taylor as a sideman in a trio SONY Audio Tapes everything has been arranged especially for led by violinist Stuff Smith. Joe Kennedy, SONY Color Cameras Moss by Hale Rood and Carlos Franzetti, (Call for Lowest Price) whose violin is a prominent fourth of the HVC-2200. 61 power zoom lens Elecview- harks back to the past without apology. Billy Taylor quartet heard here, plays in a finder/Sophisticated features Moss sings I'm Old Fashioned with partic-style that recalls the late Mr. Smith, espe- We Carry SONY'S CompleleLineol Products. ular conviction, yet one could hardly call cially on such uptempo numbers as the title her dated. She seems rather to belong to a tune and All Alone. We also carry PANASONIC, AKAI, SHARP, BLAUPUNKT. future when much of the noise of this mo- Taylor's piano is, as usual, impeccable, HITACHI, ATARI. SANYO, FUJI, BRAUN, ment will have died down and the melodyand one can only hope that Joe Kennedy- JVC. ADVENT, and much more. will linger on. P.K. who makes his living as supervisor of music For more Information send for a free catalog and enclose $2 00 for postage and handling for the Richmond, Virginia, public school Order by phone or by mail, send money or ART PEPPER:Winter Moon.Art Peppersystem-will step into the limelight more certified check. Two week delay on personal (clarinet, alto saxophone); Stanley Cowell often. checks, when paying by charge include card C.A. number and expiration date Shipping charges (piano); Howard Roberts (guitar); Cecil will be added on to credit card. McBee (bass); Carl Burnett (drums); other Not responsible for typographical errors RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT Prices subject to change musicians. Here's That Rainy Day; Our Song; Blues in the Night; When the SunCLARK TERRY:Yes, the Blues.Clark Ter- Comes Out; and three others. GALAXYry (trumpet, vocals); Eddie "Cleanhead" GXY-5140 $7.98. Vinson (alto saxophone, vocals); Art Hille- Performance Not up to snuff ry (piano, organ); other musicians. Rail- Recording Good road Porter Blues; Kidney Stew; Swingin' OF MIAMI, INC. the Blues; and four others. PABLO TODAY 0 ArtPepper'saltosaxophonebecomes D2312127 $11.98, © K12127 $11.98. 17866 IPCO ROAD (N E 5th AVE I MIAMI , slightly quarrelsome on That's Love-a FL 33162 blues of his own making-and he has brief Performance: Super For FREE 152 pg catalog send $2 00 for post- Recording: Excellent age and handling. moments of hysteria on When the Sun Comes Out and The Prisoner, but mostly Name Clark Terry and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vin- this reed -and -strings set consists of harmon-son have more in common than just being LAdrift., 2J ious statements on familiar themes. The (Continued on page 129) CIRCLE NO. 28 ON READER SERVICE CARD 126 STEREO REVIEW STEREO REVIEWCLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED RATES: Per Word, 15 Word Minimum. COMMERCIAL: $3.20. EXPAND -AD: $4.80. PERSONAL RATE:$1.80. DISPLAY: 1" x 21/4", $390.00. 2" x 2'/4", $780.00. 3" x 21/4", $1,170.00. GENERAL INFORMATION: Frequency rates and prepayment discounts available.Payment must accompany order except credit card- Am. Ex., Diners, MC, VISA (include exp. date) - or accredited ad agency insertions. Copy subject to publisher'sapproval; must be typewritten or printed. First word set in caps. Advertisers using P.O. Boxes MUST supply permanent address and telephone number. Orders not acknowledged.They will appear in next available issue after receipt. Closing date: 5th of the 2nd month preceding cover date (e.g., Mar. issue closes Jan. 5th). Send order & remittance to:Classified Advertis- ing, STEREO REVIEW Magazine, 1 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Direct inquiries to Rose Lynch. (212) 725-7686.

EQUIPMENT Mn.pi Makes Perfect DIAMOND NEEDLES and STEREO CARTRIDGES at DIS- COUNT PRICES for SHURE, PICKERING. STANTON, EM- PIRE, GRADO. AUDIO TECHNICA, ORTOFON and ADC. Send for free catalog. LYLE CARTRIDGES. Dept. S., Box 69. Brooklyn. NY 11218. For fast service Toll Free 800-221-0906. mos/rim Marcof 9AM - 8PM except Sunday. am Electronics

WHOLESALE PRICES on stereo/esoteric components,

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OLY I. ORDER No. 210AE047 FREE!EE. ANNIS Han-D-Mag IS THE BEST Demagnetizer for magnetic AKAIAft- ALTECB I ROUTE 9N, PA.R0G, tape equipment. Price is $29.70. "Demagnetizing Notes and TECIHNICSPIONEER JBL DUAL PLATTSBURGH. N.V. 12901 ELECTRONIC 10EAS CAJAL literature on request. Annisco. 1101 N. Delaware, Indianapo- MARANTZKENWOODTEAC TO.. 15181 561-8700. PHASE LINEAR & MANY MORE lis, Indiana 46202. SONY SAANCKIVC BEST IN THE WEST' Halter, Nakamichi, Dahlquist. DCM, MAIL ORDER high -end audio available. Haller. B&W, P.S., RCAPANASONICALSO Denon. Audio Salon, 1612 Elizabeth AveCharlotte. NC MOVEABLAMC TAPE Magneplanar, Beveridge. APT, Threshold, Polk, Oracle, Har- video mon'Kardon, B&W, Adcom. Rocky Mountain HI -Fl. 812 Cen- 28204.4704) 333-3306. tral. Great Falls. MT 59401 (406) 761-8683 ma.. tie tits I Cam IINEW TECHNOLOGY (800 RAW SPEAKERS. Leaf tweeters,the Wave ELIMINATE YOUR Aperture"' system, the "PATCHCORD HEADACHE" Nestorovic woofer'" ...tracky-- system, polypropylene CAMERA, with a CPM-3 1 Universal drivers, and more from we -StDottatoont itt.C6.900$4 11.41111.0341 Component Speakerlab, the highly acclaimed speaker design/manufacturing company. SPEAKERS SAVE 50%. Build your own speaker system Patching Send today for your free catalog of Write: McGee Radio Electronics, 1901 McGee Street. Kansas Matrix. speaker systems, raw speakers and City, Missouri 64108. design guidelines. TOP QUALITY SPEAKERS AND KITS. Send $2.00. Speaker For more Warehouse, 801 North Route 441, Hollywood, FL 33021. information, LOWEST PRICES. BOSE, SAE, HAFLER, and MORE. Dy- write or call: namic Sound, Box 168(A), Starkville, MS 39759. (601) 323- NILES AUDIO CORPORATION /realm/kik 0750. 1 P.M.9 P.M. Dept. SR/PO. Box 160818 Dept. CSR19, P.O. Box C30325 USED HI Ft. Buy. Sell. Trade: Broker. Bob Heenan, Box 782. Miami, FL 33116/(305) 271-9181 Wallingford Station -Seattle, WA 98103 Brookline Village. MA 02147. (617) 969-2727 Wanted McIn- tosh, Marantz: Western Electric Tube Equipment. CHICAGO SPEAKERWORKS designs and builds true audio- DISTRIBUTER PRICING! Tascam. Hailer, E.V., Ampex, JBL, phile speaker systems. Large selection of factory direct CABLE TV DESCRAMBLERS AND CONVERTERS. Mi- Technics, Onkyo, Nikko. Infinity, Lux P.K. AUDIO, 4773 speaker systems, finest European & American drivers, kits. crowave antennas and downconverters. Plans and Convention Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 crosscvers and accessories at lowest prices. Factory show- room open 7 days week. Also Haller. Fried, Ortoton. & more. parts. Build or buy. For information send $2.00. HAFLER IN STOCK TRADES ACCEPTED. Morel Electron- Send $1. for catalog to: CSW. Dept SR. 5125 N. Damen. Chi- C&D Company. P.O. Box 21. lenisen, MI 49428. ics, 57 Park Place -SR, New York, NY 10007. (212) 9644570. cago. 60625 (312) 769-5640 ATTENTION SOUTHERN AUDIOPHILES: Yamaha. Nakami- AFTER USED AUDIO EQUIPMENT) Send $5 for six issues chi. Carver, Dahlquist, Polk Audio, Bang & Olufsen. Orlofon, L:IVE OPERA TAPES:CASSETTES. Incredible collection. of "Play It Again Sam- $1. Sample copy 12611 Madison Visonik, Alpine and Jensen car stereo. Kloss and Sanyo vid- Free catalogue. Live Opera. Box 3141, Steinway Station. Ave., Lakewood. Ohio 44107 Master Charge & Visa Accept- L.I.C., NY 11103. eo. Mail order inquiries welcome. We pay all shipping ed. charges. Available at: Sound Advice. Village Plaza. Ruston, LA 71270. (318) 255-8000. SPEAKER COMPONENTS AND KITS; send 25c to: VORG RECORDS STEREO, 2260 Maplewood. Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118. WOOFERS-MIDS-TWEETERS-CROSSOVERS at tremen- SHOW ALBUMS, Rare. Out -of -Print LP's. 64 pg. list. $1.00. dous savings. EV, Becker. Seas. Polydax, Peerless, Philips. TAPES & RECORDERS King of Hearts- original cast LP $9.95. Broadway Hollywood Emilar. Gai and many others in stock for immediate delivery. Recordings, Georgetown, Conn. 06829. Speakers for Hi-Fi, custom auto. repairs, pro -Sound and mu- SCOTCH RECORDING TAPE, exclusively, all new. lowest PROTECT your LP's -Poly sleeves for jackets 12 cents: sicians. Largest selection of parts and accessories in the U.S. prices. TAPE CENTER. Box 4305. Washington. D.C. 20012. For speaker builders and hobbyists. Send $2.00 for the ALL Round Bottom Inner Sleeves 10 cents: Square Bottom 6 NEW '81 CATALOG (refundable with first purchase) to: SRC 1930-1962 RADIO PROGRAMS. Beats Television!! Tapes, cents; Poly lined paper 15 cents: white jackets 35 cents. Post- Audio. Dept. SR3, 3238 Towerwood Dr.. Dallas. Texas $1.00 Hour! Established esteemed dealer. Informative 250 age $2.00. Record House, Hillbum, N.Y. 10931. 75234. page catalog. $1.25. AM Treasures. Box 192SR, Babylon, N.Y. 11702. COLLECTORS' Soundtracks. Mint. 75 cents (refundable). HIGH END AUDIO IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY. Repre- Jemm's. P.O. Box 157, Glenview. III. 60025. YESTERDAYS RADIO ON TAPE. Reels -Cassettes. Quality senting: Audio Pro. Magnepan. Adcom. Dahlquist. Carver. OLDIES oldies. 45rpm. Also current hits. Free Catalog. Cor- SAE, Promethean. Spendor. D.B. Systems, Grace. I.M.F., Sound. Reliable Service. Catalog $2.00. ADVENTURES. Box ny's Record Shop. Box 166G. Mason, Ohio 45040. Mitsubishi, Obelisk, Linn Sondek. Marcof. Avid. Grado, Tand- 4822-S. Inglewood, CA 90302. berg. LS 3,5A. Fulton. B&W and others. We ship anywhere in PROTECT YOUR ALBUMS. White cardboard replacement VIENNESE LIGHT MUSIC SOCIETY- Strauss, Lanner, Etc. the U.S. THE SOUNDING BOARD. INC., 20 minutes from jackets 35 cents. Plastic lined sleeves 15 cents. Postage on Dolby Cassettes. KC Company, Box 793. Augusta. Mane G.W. Bridge. Ridgewood. NJ (201) 445-5006. 04330. $1.25. Opera Boxes. 78 Sleeves. Free Catalog. CABCO 400-1, Box 8212. Columbus. Ohio 43201. UNDERGROUND SOUND - Luxman. Hatter. Carver. AGI. EXCITING OLD RADIO TAPES. Large selection available. Revox, Kef. Grado. 2125 Central Ave.. Memphis. TN 38104. THOUSANDS of like new LPs and prerecorded tapes cata- (901) 272-1275. Free catalog. Radio Memories. Box 56-R. California. MD logue $2.50. Records, Hillburn, New York 10931. 20619. ATTENTION OWNERS OF SONY TAPE DECKS & RECEIV- RARE ORIGINAL RECORDS, all kinds. mostly mint. 5000 list OLD RADIO PROGRAMS. $1.99 hour cassettes- open -reels. ERS Hand finished solid walnut or oak side panels are now $2.00, refundable. Cad. Box 828. Princeton, NC 27569. Big catalog $1.50 refundable with order. Nostalgia. Box 254, available for your Sony receiver and or tape deck. Panels fit Simi Vly, CA 93065. RECORD HOUND. Box 88. Eagleville, PA 19408. Fills -want- all models 1980 or newer. Specify model number. $15.95 plus lists"? DOGGONE RIGHT!! 33-1,3 Specialist. Fast. Friendly $2.50 postage. MC and Visa welcomed. Wood Tailoring Co., GOLDEN AGE RADIO -Your best source for radio tapes. Service. Box 11314 SR. Portland, OR 97211. Free catalog. Box 25215-T. Portland, Oregon 97225. CUTOUT OVERSTOCK RECORDS -UNBELIEVABLE SE- CONNECTICUT: ADVENT APT -Holman. B&O. Carver. Dahl- LECTION. $2.99 Super Specials. $1.00 for catalog (refund- quist, OCM Time Windows. Polk, Hatter. Mitsubishi. Nakami- QU AUC-TY90 TAPES ATWHOLESALE PRICES WELL Uuser1 or2 able). Cutouts, 742 Route 18. East Brunswick. NJ 08816. chi, Ortofon. Micro -Acoustics. N.A.S., Stax, Yamaha. Cizek, $319PANASONIC T-120 PinNol f13 75 MAXELL UDXL 1 or 2 'S' C 90 389SONY L-750 Prodeol WALL Ma C-90 12 99 Signet. QED. Teac, Maroon. Audiophile. Boston Acoustics. 6 89SONY 1500 (Video) 1099 MAXELL U0 C-90 243MAXELL UD 35,90 1800 5.19 FREE RECORD CATALOG. New releases at discount Records will ship prepaid. Sounds Incredible, 39 Federal TDK SA C-90 283MAXELL UDXI 35-908 1800 6 49 TMSA C-60 Road. Brookfield. Conn. 06804. Call Ira for quote. (203) 775- 2 13TIM L.X 35-90 1800 5.39 prices and huge selection of classical, soundtrack, TM SAX C-90 4 59MK LX 35-9013 1800 5.49 1122. TON C- AD C-9090 MK CASS HEAD DEBIAG ND 01 14.89 TDItD 2 42 popular and jazz special values. Rose Records, MK MA C-90...6.351 DISCWASHER COMPLETE SYSTEM 10.90 ATTENTION! The most extensive line of STEREO. VIDEO. DISCWASHER DA 16 or REFILL .10.* Dept. R, 214 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60604. and CAR EQUIPMENT at WHOLESALE PRICES. Campus ADO SNIPPING U S $3 50 015% whodiever is more Forman $1.50 or $300 per lOcasselles Mnchever is more Send check. MO. Visas,C. Cards add 2% headline Ca11212.339-9015. DIRECT- DISC, DIGITAL. half -speed masters. and DBX representatives needed! THE AUDIO FACTORY. 42-40 BELL OCALITY TARS 2085 U 80 St.. Dept. MS. Brock*. NY 11223 en- BOULEVARD. Mailorder division #203. Bayside. NY 11361. coded discs. Free catalog. DISConnection. P.O. Box 10705. CALL (212) 939-8561. Tampa, FL 33679. RARE OPERA, Symphonic music on open reel tapes. World FREE STEREO CATALOG. Audio and video equipment and wide broadcasts. Free catalogue. Underhill, Bellport. NY BRAVO BEETHOVEN. Sampler LP $2.98. cassette $3.49. accessories at discount prices. House of Tape, P.O. Box 191. 11713. Free catalog: Musical Concepts, Box 53SR8, Cedarhurst, NY Mineola, NY 11501. 11516. OLD TIME RADIO - original broadcasts on quality tapes.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN AN AUDIO SUPERMARKET? . . . Free catalog. Carl R. Froelich. Route One. New Freedom. AUDIOPHILE and Japanese discs. Super Sound Record Ser- Adcom. Concord. Hafler. Mitsubishi. Yamaha and many more Pennsylvania 17349. vice, P.O. Box 411237. Chicago. ILL 60641. (312) 486-6667. high -end brands. Send $1.00 for brochure or stop in: Beck's Hi-Fi, 1 South Street. Middletown. NY 10940. (914) 343-5150. SELLING HUNDREDS OF used classical LP's from $3. Send etz.47131tC FREE 500 T-SIIRT 10AM - 5 PM Weekdays. 11:41 0-C60 for list. Marlin. 29 Euclid, Haddonfield, NJ 08033. TDK D -C90 la It uT3 if ...15.39 TON AD -C60 1.79 MK LX3[180. 16.69 ORION'S AVAILABLE by mail! $7,record includes postage 3D. N.A.D.. Mission, Amber. Cizek, Dynavector, R.G.R.. etc. TOIL. AD -C90 2.39 MK tX390B 5.@ TDK 00-C90 $132. $1813 or more. Box 4087, Mailibu, CA 90265. Shipping paid. Audio File. 1202 South Congress, Austin. Tex- 159 TOIL 103 1MB 18.74 TDIS SA 2 19 Mk CX35.9M 149 as 78704. (512) 443-9295. 1041 SA -C90 2, ;I a 2 0:1a.8, 13.59 WHILE YOU WERE LOOKING FOR "Out -of -Print- Records TDK SAX -C902193120 HIGH MAIL ORDER PRICES? Not at Stereo Village! 9800 MK 144-C90 you should've been looking for us! DISContinued (213) 846- 639 Mk 10-01 Cast !lead Defeat 14.83 Lake Forest Blvd./New Orleans, LA 70127. (800) 241-0626. Free T -Shen with every order wer 50.00. State Size MI tapes car Be assorted. 9192. Shopping 350 We w,11 honor any [MCI in MIS balk on MK Well. Scotch. BASF. any LAST CHANCE FOR KOSS QUADS. Attention Quad System Ampex 100% guaranteed 412483-8621 1114 84 Visa and MC A RECORD STORE IN YOUR MAILBOX! Discountnew re- Tape World 220 *nag St. owners. Here's your chance to buy Koss Quadraphones at Butler, PA 16001 leases. 250 + independent Labels. rarities & hard to find, Bar- factory direct prices. Koss K 6LCQ normally $59.95. now only gain & Cutout LPS and Tapes from $1.49. FREE information $32.79. Koss KO 7470 normally $65.00. now only $39.00. OLD TIME RADIO at new special low price. Catalog: $2.00. on our 350+ page catalogs. SQUARE DEAL RECORDS. Phase 2 2 usually $155.00. now only $59.00. Original K 2 BRC OTR Distributors. 2013 South Huron Parkway # 1. Ann Box 1002S. San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. Wholesale inquiries 2A normally $90.00. now only $41.72 and the PRO 40 nor- Arbor, Michigan 48104. welcome. mally $75.00 for only $41.15. Remember these quad phones OPEN REEL TAPES from studio masters. Philips. Argo. Tele- work in stereo too! Just flip the switch and double the bass COLLECTORS' RECORDS - Lists $2.00, refundable. Specify radiating surface. Send your check to Koss Corporation c o funken, Vanguard. Unicorn. Catalogue $1.00. Barclay -Crock- speeds collected, classical or popular. Low prices. Frank Bed- er, Room 1470-S. 11 Broadway, NYC 10004. Virginia Lamm. 4129 N. Port Washington Avenue, Milwaukee. nar, P.O. Box 695. Stamford, CT 06904. WI 53212. 500.000 + LPS: soundtracks. casts! Catalogue/newsletter OLDIES SHOP AT HOME! Anka, Beatles, Crystals, Glen Mill- SAVE YOUR TAPES with our special cassette tightening tool. $1 00 Soundtrack Valueguide - $5.50. RTSR. Box 687, Costa er. Oueen. Thousands of 45's listed in our giant 46 page cata- Also good for gifts. $2.00 each. Box 13007, Research Trian- Mesa. California 92627. log. We carry albums. current 45's, and collectors' items. gle Park, NC 27709. 40,000 OLD RADIO SHOWS on Tape. Jazz Big Band Send $1 for oldie catalog to: AARDVARK MUSIC -S. Box re- 69441. Los Angeles, CA 90069. WE WILL NOT BE BEAT!! Lowest Prices Anywhere! Super motes. Country Western, discographies. anthologies. chro- Selection - Full Warranty - Fast Delivery. Hi Fi - Hi -End- Car nologies. Send $2 for huge catalog (refundable). McCoy's Re- TUBES Product and Video. VISA- MAC. Call Now: (203) 932-4265. cording, Box 1069S, Richland, Washington 99352. AUDIO PEOPLE. 998 Orange Avenue, West Haven, CT TV and Radio Tubes 49 cents. Free 48 page color catalog. 06516. NEW, FOOLPROOF, CLASSICAL record/tape indexing Cornell, 4215-H University, San Diego, California 92105. RAW SPEAKERS, KITS, custom mobile speaker systems. system with unique 15 division visual display fea- Audax. Becker, JVC, Dynaudio. Jordan -Watts, Falcon -Acous- ture. REVOLUTIONARY? Maybe not. INDISPENS- GOVERNMENT SURPLUS tics, Philips, SEAS, Peerless. others. Price list, $1.00. MS SPEAKERS. Box 7022, Dept. SR. Denver, CO 80207. (303) ABLE? Very possibly. Free details. indexPLUS, Box JEEPS ... $58.00! ... CARS... $35.00!... 700,000 ITEMS 399-8609. 460, Royal Oak, MI 48068. . GOVERNMENT SURPLUS ... MOST COMPREHEN- SIVE DIRECTORY AVAILABLE Tells how, where to buy HANDCRAFTED AUDIO CABINETS, you design. Free infor- ... FREE PROMOTIONAL ALBUMS, concert tickets, stereos, Your area ... $2 . . MONEYBACK GUARANTEE . mation: Custom Electronics Display Cabinetry, 1547 Birch- .. "Sur- wood, Saint Germain, WI 54558. etc... Information: J. Saez Promotions, Suite S-151. 323 S. plus Information Services", Department EC -14, Box 99249. Franklin Bldg., Chicago, ILL. 60606. San Francisco, California 94109. AUDIO DISCOUNT OFFERS a large selection of qual- OPEN REEL TAPE - Mostly Ampex, used once. unspliced ELECTRONICS ity components at low discount prices. Including (Unboxed) T 1800' or 2400' - 50 Reels for $60.00 (Postpaid) AR, Alwa, Advent, Alpine, Audio -Control, Bose, DBX, 3600' 101/2" reels $2.00 each. Sample reel $1.50. AUDIO ELECTRONICS BARGAINS, Closeouts, Surplus! Parts. ste- TAPES, Box 9584-K. Alexandria, VA 22304. reo, industrial. educational. Amazing values! Fascinating ESS, Grado, Hafler, Harmon-Kardon, Infinity, 1BL, OUTSTANDING OLDTIME RADIO TAPES. -Remarkable Se- items unavailable in stores or catalogs anywhere. Unusual FREE catalog. ETC0-014, Box 762. Plattsburgh. NY 12901. 1VC, Nikko, Onkyo, Ortofon, Phase Linear, SAE, lections Valuer' Respected Dealer's Catalog FREE: Heritage- 509. 412 Redbud. Oxford. MS 38655. Tandberg, Thornes, and many more! For more infor- PRINTED CIRCUIT boards with running water! Tech- mation Mon -Sat., please call 301-593-8244. Audio NOSTALGIA BUFFS. RADIO. Music - all types. Historic nological breakthrough. Precise reproduction. Ideal Discount, 1026 McCeney Ave., Silver Spring, MD Commentaries. etc. Discount prices. Extensive library. Your choice on quality cassette. 8 -track. reels Catalog 92.00. re- for beginners. Free info. COVAL, Dept. SR9, 2706 20901. We honor VISA/MC. fundable. PKP Recording. 1121 Barstow. Eugene. OR 97404. Kirby, Champaign, IL 61820. EVOLUTION - The Sound Magazine. Ouad and audiophile respected jazz players: both are excellent WANTED software plus hardware. For information. Evolution. 23757 instrumentalists, both deliver a vocal with Canzonet. Woodland Hills. CA 91367. GOLD. silver. platinum. mercury. tantalum wanted. Highest more humor and better timing than most prices paid by refinery. Ores assayed. Free circular. Mercury CLASSICAL RECORD COLLECTORS: New newsletter fea- stand-up comedians, and both speak the Terminal. Norwood. MA 02062. tures offbeat suppliers, upcoming releases. cutouts. want blues as a second language. All these virtues lists. comparative reviews worldwide. much more. For details CASH FOR YOUR Unwanted LP's and Prerecorded Reel to are displayed on this Pablo session from last write: DISCOPHILIAC. Garrison, NY 10524. Reel Tapes. Reder. Box 323S. Hilburn. NY 10931. January, a first-class romp through timeless MCINTOSH 8 MARANTZ tube tape equipment wanted. (213) DELETED Classics. Free lists from: Jones. 120 North Oak material with an excellent supporting cast 576-2642 or 576-9103. David Yo. P.O. Box 832. M.P.. CA Park Avenue. Oak Park, Illinois, 60301. that includes bassist John Heard and drum- 91754. mer Roy McCurdy, and with "Harmonica EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TOP DOLLAR PAID for good condition LP's. All types, quanti- George" Smith giving the whole thing a ties. FESTOON'S. 15 Whitney, New Haven, CT 06510. (203) LEARN WHILE ASLEEP. Hypnotize! Astonishing details. more down-home flavor. 1 dare you to find a 789-8210. strange catalog free' Autosuggestion. Box 24-ZD. Olympia, flaw -even the notes (by Gary Giddins) are TOP PRICES paid for: WESTERN ELECTRIC drivers, horns. Washington, 98507. intelligent and informative. C.A. etc. Toyohashi. Box 18009. Seattle, WA 98118. (206) 323- 4987. FOR INVENTORS SARAH VAUGHAN: Songs of the Beatles. OLDER WHARFEDALE FULL RANGE SPEAKERS 12" - #12/FS/AL or #12 RS DD.8" #8 FS AL or #8 RS DD. Su- Sarah Vaughan (vocals); vocal and instru- per #3 TWEETERS (Metallic) and the -purple-plastic" kind! mental accompaniment. Get Back; And I 12" #120CX. 8" - #8OCX. Old INVENTIONS WANTED Trusonic coaxial speakers NO IDEA TOO SMALL Love Her; Eleanor Rigby; Fool on the Hill; University Sphencon tweeters #T-203 or T-202: "MS" su- FREE CONSULTATION S pertweeters. JBL 8" full range speakers #LE8T adn #075 DsClosure reg,sttalatnPottntal cast', or 110Mmanufacturers seeang new You Never Give Me Your Money; Come For free .nformat,on on now to reg.ster our ,cleascal, or *Me tweeters. Norelco full range speakers. No cabinets. Singles .dean Together; Blackbird; and six others. AT- ok. KALISH. 565 Walnut Ave., Redlands. CA 92373. Call coi- AMERICAN INVENTORS CORP. LANTIC SD 16037 $7.98, © CS 16037 led (714) 792-0220. 59 Interstate Dr Dept SR $7.98, TP 16037 $7.98. ADVENT 201A cassette tape deck call 201 - 748-3756 or West Springfield, MA 01089 14131 737-5376 write Box 1492. Bloomfield. NJ 07003 with name, address, A Fee Based Marifet,ng Company PerformanceSurprisingly apt telephone number, price. Recording: Excellent HYPNOTISM PERSONALS Sarah Vaughan is so much Sarah Vaughan that I expected her to Vaughanise the Bea- FREE Hypnotism, Self -Hypnosis. Sleep Learning Catalog! MAKE FRIENDS WORLDWIDE through international corre- Drawer H400, Ruidoso. New Mexico 88345. spondence. Illustrated brochure free. Hermes-Verlag. Box tles the same as she has the music of most 10660 1 D-1000 Berlin 11, W. Germany. other popular composers. I had not reck- RUBBER STAMPS PENFRIENDS - ENGLAND - USA, Through correspon- oned with the strong personalities of the dence. Send age, interests. Free reply. Harmony. Box 89SR, songs themselves, all by John Lennon and RUBBER ADDRESS STAMPS. BUSINESS CARDS. Free Brooklyn, New York 11235. Catalog - Fast Service. Jackson's, Brownsville Road -E-101. Paul McCartney except Something, which Mt. Vernon. III. 62864. CORRESPONDENCE FOR FRIENDSHIP IN PHILIPPINES. is by George Harrison. Try as she will, MALAYSIA. Free riformation. AACC-(SR). Bat 1542. Can- Vaughan cannot make And I Love Her or BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES oga Park. CA 91304. Yesterday or the hardy Hey Jude lie down STEREO REPRESENTATIVES NEEDED!!! Lowest Possible MICROFILM EDITIONS AVAILABLE. Copies of STEREO at her command; they have taken her over Prices!! Over 100 Brands!!! Krasco-Rep SR. 998 Orange REVIEW Magazine are available on microfilm from Xerox Uni- instead, with generally salutaryresults. Ave., West Haven. Conn. 06516. versity Microfilms, Ann Arbor. Michigan: Microfiche from Bell However, when it comes to the tale of poor ERASE DEBTS with little-known law - CREATE wealth! De- 8 Howell. Micro Photo Division. Wooster. Ohio. jilted Eleanor Rigby and all the lonely tails FREE - Blueprints. No. DD9, La Grangeville. NY 12540. people, Vaughanizing works. Vaughan's BORROW $25,000 'OVERNIGHT. Any purpose. Keep in- treatments are backed by a staggering definitely! Free report! Success Research. Box 29070 -RI. In- lineup -guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, dianapolis. IN 46229. percussion,harmonica,tenorsax,and FREE BOOK "2042 Unique, Proven Enterprises." Fabulous strings, plus three other vocalists in the "unknowns." second inflation income. Haylings-M, Carlsbad. BACK ISSUES background. P.K. CA 92008. MAKE MONEY IN COLLEGE. Sell brand name audio components. No investment. Unbelievable prices. Call Mr. Kay TOLL AVAILABLE... LES1'ER YOUNG: In Washington, D.C., FREE at 800-241-6270. 1956, Vol. III. Lester Young (tenor saxophone); Bill Potts (piano); Norman Wil- WANT YOUR OWN RADIO STATION? Investment/ex- Stereo Review liams (bass); Jim Lucht (drums). Up 'n perience unnecessary. Free information. "Broad- Adam: Sometimes I'm Happy; There'll casting, Box 130-R9, Paradise, CA 95969. Never Be Another You; and three others. FREE BOOK describing many loans available to deserving in- PABLO LIVE 2308-228 $9.98, © K08-228 dividuals refused elsewhere. Associates, Box 980(6), Brook- $9.98. lyn, NY 11235. COLLEGE DEALERS- Write for details on College Programs, Performance Salvaged gems Fast Shipments. Low Prices, Specify College. Sound Repro- Recording Surprisingly good duction, 7 Industrial Rd., Fairfield, NJ 07006. This is the third volume of recordings made BORROW $30.000 without interest, All eligible. Repay any- time. Free details. Infohouse. Box 1004-S9. New York, NY by Lester Young during a six -night engage- 10003. ment at Olivia Davis' Patio Lounge in f you've missed any of the previously Washington, D.C., in December 1956.I FOR SALE published issues of Stereo Review don't know how it compares with the second Magazine a wide selection is still MAYWARE. MC -3L $89 Tax/Duty Free. Information $1. bill. volume, which I haven't heard, but it fully Visa Mastercharge. Mayware. P.O. Box 58, Edgware, Middle- available. Copies may be ordered for measures up to the first, which I praised in sex, England. issues published during the past 12 these pages quite a while back. months. In the event a particular issue Young breezes through familiar materi- MOVIE FILMS/VIDEO TAPES ordered is out of print your payment will be returned promptly. al, shaping it in his own way as usual, and 16mm SOUND Features. Shorts, New, Used for Sale. Free the trio that breezes along with him does a Catalog. National Cinema, P.O. Box 43. Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ Order by mailing $3.00 per copy commendable job of keeping up with what 07423. (postage & handling included) to Stereo Review, P.O. Box 278, Pratt Station, to them was an "old-timer." Actually, Les- OPERA VIDEO - Magnificent performances from Europe on ter Young was only forty-seven at the time, BETA.VHS Videocassettes. Free listings. H.R.E.. Box 12, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205. Kew Gardens, NY 11415. but a life in jazz has a way of taking its toll (Outside U.S.A. copies are $4.00 each.) early, and the rapid development of the mu- VIDEOTAPES - 8MMi16MM MOVIES. TWO 72 page catalogs $1.00. Both $1.50. Reelimages. Box 1375R, Monroe. Please be sure to enclose payment and sic also tends to make a couple of decades Connecticut 06468. identify the specific issues you wish seem like a lifetime. Young lived only an- to receive. other two years and three months after this BOOKS & MAGAZINES session, which makes these gems all the PUBLISHERS' OVERSTOCK. BARGAIN BOOKS 2,000 ti- more precious. C.A. tles, all subjects! Free catalog: Hamilton, 98-86 Clapboard, Danbury, CT 06810. 129 STEREO REVIEW ADVERTISERS' INDEX READER PAGE SERVICE NO ADVERTISER WADER

Aiwa 18.19 Allison Acoustics 119 American Audio 122 AngeliEMI Records 101 2 Audio-Matic Electronics 125 3 Audio-Technica U.S., Inc 102 4 Audio -Technics U.S.. Inc 103 Austin, Nichols Distilling Co 95

5 Bang 8 Olufsen 15 8 BASF 43 Beyer Dynamics, Inc. 88 7 Blue Angel, Inc 91 9 BSR (USA) Ltd. 7 Robert C. Bosch 45 8 Bose Corporation Cover 3 10 Carver Corporation 58 11 Consumers Company 98 12 Crown International 26

13 Dahlquist, Inc. 14 14 DAK Industries 25. 27 15 dbx. Inc. 107 18 dbx, Inc. 22 dbx. Inc. 111 17 dbx. Inc 135 18 Denon America, Inc 41 19 Discount Music Club 10 20 Discount Sound 109 21 Discwasher 4 22 Discwasher 99

Electro-Voice 20 23 47th St. Photo 99 Fotomat 99 Fuji Photo Film. USA se

Harman Kardon 11.93 24 Hi-Fi Buys 118

25 Illinois Audio 123 26 Institute of Audio Research 28 27 International Hi-Fi Dist. 96 International Record and Tape Club us 28 International Wholesalers 126

30 J 8 R Music World 114 29 JBL 38,39

31 KEF Electronics, Ltd 23 32 Kenwood Electronics 51 `Willie "We 'Lion"Smith 33 Koss Corporation Cover 4 34 Loran 8.9 WILLIE "THE LION" SMITH was one of The reissue even includes a bonus. In No- Marlboro 47 35 MakeII Corp. of America 31 the three major Harlem "stride"- vember 1938, two months before the solo 36 McIntosh Laboratory, Inc 101 style piarists, the other two being Fats session, Smith played celeste on Three Key- 37 Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs 119 Waller and JamesF.Johnson. Smith sel- boards with Jess Stacy and Joe Bushkin on 38 Mordaunt-Short, Inc 92 39 Mute Corp. 30 dom ventured into the recording studio dur- piano and George Wettling on drums; The ing his prime, one notable exception was a Onkyo 49 Lion and the Lamb from the same session January 10,1939, solo session forMiltteams Smith on piano with Bushkin and 80 J. C. Penney 34 Gabler's independent Commodore label. 57 U.S. Pioneer Cover 2.1 Wettling. These were "novelty" items of the 58 Pioneer Video. Inc 32.33 Commodore hasnowrereleasedthose kind occasionally attempted for the sheer 40 Polk Audio 89 tracks, and I must agree with Len Lyons, hell of it, and if neither track is substantial, 54 P.R.I.C.E 122 the annotator of the album, that they repre- ai least no harm was done. But the solo per- Radio Shack 2 sent Smith at his best. formances are the definitive Smith, and this Rayon 87 R. J. Reynolds/Camel 58,57 Side one is a collection of originals writ- album, together with Johnson's "Father of R. J. Reynolds/Ventage 77 ten between 1934 and 1939. Smith's sense the Stride Piano" (Columbia CL 1780) and 41 RKO Tape 113 of harmoric variations was advanced, as Ron Rico Rum 53 Waller's "Piano Solos 1929-1941" (RCA 42 Rose Records 110 were Waller's and Johnson's, but on Morn- Bluebird AXM2-5518), is indispensible for ing Air some of the chording and the attack 43 Sansui Electronics Corp 55 anyone who wants to hear the exquisite es- 50 Santa Fe Express 119 are reminiscent of Jelly Roll Morton, whom sence of the stride style. -Joel Vance 45 STARE Corp 107 the striders usually derided as old-fash- 46 Shure Brothers 29 ioned. Smith, like Waller, also occasionally 47 Sony Corp. 21 48 Soundcrattemen .12 flirted with (or rather paraphrased) some WILLIE "THE LION" SMITH: The Orig- 49 Sound Reproduction. Inc. 98 boogie-woogie patterns, even though they MEI 14 Plus Two, 1938-1939. Speakertab 115 Willie "The 44 Stanton Magnetics 13 normally looked down on the form. Smith's Lion" Smith (piano). Morning Air; Echoes 51 Stereo Corp. of America 117 compositions are guile inventive, often deli- of Spring; Concentrating; Fading Star; Stereo Discounters 109 cate, but always sturdy and a treat to hear. Studer/Revox America, Inc 87 Passionate. Rippling Waters; Sneakaway; Sweet Thunder Corp. 83 Side two contains six popular ballads thatFinger Buster; What Is There to Say; Be- Smith decorates tastefully, especially I'll 52 TDK Electronics 17 tween the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea; The 53 Teac Corporation of America 71 Follow You. It's interesting to see that Fats Boy in the Boat; Tea for Two; I'll Follow Teacher's Scotch 72 Waller's Squeeze Me is listed here by its You; Stormy Weather. Willie "The Lion" 55 Technics by Panasonic 59 58 Top Discount Audio 118 original title, The Boy in the Boat (the orig- Smith (piano,celeste);Jess Stacy, Joe inal lyrics, by Waller and Spencer Wil- Bushkin (piano); George Wettling (drums). U.S. JVC 37 liams, were "cleaned up" by publisher Clar- Three Keyboards; The Lion and the Lamb. 59 Wisconsin Discount Stereo 125 ence Williams). COMMODORE ED X FL 15775 $8.98. SEPTEMBER 1981

130 STEREO REVIEW "For the first time, critics all over the world are unanimous in their verdict on a loudspeaker."

Obernsterrechtsche Austria 1968

The '70s. Holland. "The Bose 901 will make your amplifier sound 2,000 guilders more expensive ...The most natural - The Bose 901 Direct/Reflecting' sounding system on the market." Loudspeaker System. -Toon En Beeld Italy. "The high efficiency and dynamic Since its introduction in 1968, the Bose range of the Bose 901 will impress 901 loudspeaker has accumulated a even the most skeptical listener." record of international acclaim that is - Audiovisione without precedent in the industry. Each stage of its technological evolution England. " ...the 901s produced one (including three model changes and of the most natural sound fields I have more than 300 design improvements) ever heard."-Hi-Fi For Pleasure has been favorably acknowledged by France. "The Bose 901 may well be the major audio publications worldwide. finest speaker in its class."- Hill Stereo The '60s. The '8(ki. speaker of the same size sounds thin and insubstantial." --Stereo Play Belgium. "It is no longer Japan. "This Bose United States. "In terms of sheer recorded music. . loudspeaker dis- The orchestra is played the best musicality, this speaker ranks with the there in front, with performance, not finest, and in spaciousness of sound the ambience of only in the purity it is unsurpassed Stereo the concert hall all of its sound and Buyer's Guide around," -La Re- realistic presence, Ask your authorized Bose dealer vue des Disques but also in its power- for a side -by -side comparison of the de la Haute-Fidelite ful reproduction of Bose 901 loudspeaker with any other Denmark. "The 901 can high volume sources." speaker, regardless of size or price. produce deeper bass than - Swing Journal For more information, write any other speaker I have ever 1 Germany. "In com- Bose Corporation. Departmert SR, listened to..." -Hobby parison with the 901, a The Mountain, Framingham, Bladet + Lyd & Tone I conventional loud- Massachusetts 01701 45,51 Better nd through research.

CIRCLE NO. II ON READER SERVICE CARD We'ye just lowered the priceof admission.

Your ticket to a live performance just became theater, concert hall, and auditorium -the Koss even more affordable. Because the Koss K/4DS K/4DS Digital Delay System offers the most Digital Delay System with built-in amplifier and life -like and realistic portrayal ofa live performance matching ambience speakersnow has you've ever heard. Ask your audio a suggested retail price of just dealer for a live demonstration,or $459. Now that should really write c/o Virginia Lamm, for be music to your ears! Not since' more information on the the introduction of stereo has K/4DS or other famous Koss a product so dramatically stereophone and loudspeaker increased the listening enjoy- products. Now that the price ment of recorded music. With of admission is so low, you four computerized won't want to miss ideal environment the missing link in selections-club, stereo. Suggested retail $459 Koss Corp 1980

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RCM CORPORATION, 4129 N Par? Washington Ave Milwaukee Wisconsin 53212International Headquarters Milwaukee facilities Canada France Germany Ireland CIRCLE NO. 33 ON READER SERVICE CARD