Audiophile Digital

John Prine
John Prine
Analogue Productions/Atlantic Capa004Sa

Part of the 'Atlantic 75' celebration, John Prine's eponymous 1971 debut is one of the albums also benefiting from the label's collaboration with Analogue Productions. I'm not sure if we will see it as a 2x45rpm LP, which AP is undertaking for select titles, but the SACD is more than sufficient proof it's as worthy sonically as it is artistically. Ranked No.149 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time, it arrived in the midst of the singer-songwriter explosion. Prine gave us 'Angel From Montgomery', covered by Carly Simon and Bonnie Raitt, plus another dozen stunners recorded by John Fogerty, Johnny Cash, The Everly Brothers and too many others to list. File under Folk, Country, Roots or just 'Genius'. KK

Sound Quality: 95%

Gasoline Lollipops
Nightmares
Octave Records Oct-0027 (Sacd+Data Dvd)

Octave's Pure DSD recording system merits the audiophile community's support for the good reason that it isn't a slave to the usual hi-fi-show-oriented genres or weird sonic spectaculars. This roots music/alt-country/blues album (see also, Jan James, adjacent) benefits mightily from the state-of-the-art digital technology because of the added clarity for the guitar and the vividly authentic presence of the harmonica, over a standard CD. A mix of fresh compositions and re-workings of some earlier songs, Nightmares is moody and dark in places, a bit like Ry Cooder-meets-Tom Waits. Nerds with killer DACs and laptops will find hours of fun with the data DVD. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Jan James
Time Bomb
Blue Palace Records Bpr33318

If you created a mash-up of Bonnie Raitt, Bonnie Bramlett, Rory Block, Janis Joplin, and especially Dana Gillespie, it might come out sounding like Jan James. She is in part a classic blues revivalist, but equally a belter of the old school, 'torch singer' variety. This Chicagoan has powerful pipes, immaculate taste and gutsy delivery which also throws in classic soul and even some 1950s chanteuse touches. Her original compositions reflect the times, so this is no cheery pop-fest and the politics may jar, but it is consistently involving. On the audio side, the vocals have - unsurprisingly - real presence, while the percussion and guitar work are exceptional. KK

Sound Quality: 85%

Various Artists
Pushin' Too Hard
Strawberry Records Crjam3Box22 (Three Discs; Mono/Stereo)

Unabashedly an adjunct to Lenny Kaye's 1972 milestone Nuggets compilation, this phenomenal 94-track set of hits and rarities only overlaps on a couple of entries. But the sound is what blew me away with true stereo versions of The Strangeloves' 'I Want Candy', Paul Revere & The Raiders' 'Just Like Me' and The McCoys' 'Fever' - the latter utterly stunning - as well as perfect mono for tracks only issued as singles. 'American Garage Punk 1964-1967' tells you what to expect, and if you're a Nuggets devotee, you'll think all your birthdays arrived at once. Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, Love, The Seeds, The Sonics, The Leaves, The Mojo Men - I'm 15 all over again. KK

Sound Quality: 85%