Don Pearce wrote:
There is stuff in the charts that impresses me, but it always seems to
be music that places the talent before the mic rather than after it.

Serge Auckland wrote:
Isn't that as it should be? I'm always sceptical of artists that *need* good
production talent to turn their meager efforts into commercial music. Much
better to have an artist that sounds good even recorded on a cassette
recorder.

Sviatoslav Richter's famous "1958 Sofia recital" sounds almost like it
was captured on a cassette recorder. I'm not actually sure what they
used in late-50's Bulgaria, but Richter was very much on top form.

There's background noise, the audience coughs, there's a major fluff in
the opening of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

But after the first few moments I know I'm listening to something special
and the defects just fade away. It's still available so enough people
must agree.

I guess it's different for some people but for what it's worth I'm with
Don and Serge.

--
John Phillips