What I Think About — When I Think About Analogue Productions

They say you never forget your first one – but I have to confess I cannot remember my first Analogue Productions reissue LP. I do remember my first order from Acoustic Sounds though. It was back in 2007 and I had just started to go back to vinyl after many years away. I was lucky I didn’t sell too many of my LPs during the 90s and early 2000s and so I had a collection to build on and build I did. But that’s another story and this story is about Analogue Productions – the greatest audiophile reissue label ever.

My Analogue Productions collection started with jazz. I came in as the last of the Fantasy 100 double 45 LPs were being released and as funds allowed I started to pick these up. Listening to these records was like a spiritual experience as the greats of jazz like Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane and Miles Davis were there before more allowing me to get closer to and see into the music. As my gear has improved these records have improved with it and now they are some of my most treasured records. From this point I watched closely to what Analogue Productions were doing and also went back to pick up some of their older releases such as Bola Sete, Art Pepper and Chet Baker. This was a label that was aligned to my tastes and wants.

Then the first motherlode the announcement of 25 Blue Note double 45 LPs. The excitement was palpable and when the titles were announced that was it I became a subscriber (#422 if you ever come across them used – which you won’t as these titles will never leave my house!). Brilliant music, superbly mastered and spread out across the wider grooves of the 45 RPM LP format – these titles are for me still the definitive reissues to own.

Then after the motherlode came the flood. Every catalogue brought new wonders – 25 Impulse titles on double 45s, 25 Verve titles on double 45s, the second series of Blue Note titles – yes please, count me in for these. One of my better decisions. We all have many regrets in life but buying these records and having the pleasure of owning and playing them – this wasn’t one for sure!

But of course it wasn’t just jazz. Analogue Productions were there for you if you loved rock and pop too. Across some amazing records over the years the stand outs for me have been the Creedence Clearwater Revival titles, The Doors and The Beach Boys series too, each one of these have been definitive reissues and the only ones you need to own. What I love too are the one off reissues that speak to great taste in reissuing music that is brilliantly composed and performed and sonically engaging too. Cowboy Junkies “The Trinity Session," Dr John “Dr John’s Gumbo," Dusty Springfield “Dusty In Memphis," Elvis Presley “Elvis Is Back," Grateful Dead “Reckoning," Greg Allman “Laid Back," Humble Pie “Smokin’," Janis Ian “Breaking Silence," Jeff Beck “Blow By Blow," JJ Cale “Troubadour," Patsy Cline “Greatest Hits," Slim Harpo “The Best of Slim Harpo," I could go on – there are so many great ones.

Classical too – Analogue Productions has you covered there as well. In a time when classical music seems to me to be less appreciated than it was, Analogue Productions announced the Living Stereo series of 25 titles. Some of these I already owned when Classic Records issued them and at first I picked up the ones I didn’t have. The beautiful jackets and amazing clarity of the music was a revelation to me. I went back and double dipped on the titles that I had from Classic and do you know for every single one the AP was better. More dynamic, more lifelike strings, more like listening to music. My wife was a classical violin player in her younger days and only really likes classical music. It has been a great joy to share these LPs with her and listen together when the house goes quiet and the day is done. Then another 25 Living Stereo titles and the 12 UK titles as well. 62 classical records and all of them beautifully mastered, produced and there to indulge in! I have to say that my most treasured Analogue Productions classical title isn’t one of this series though. Nathan Milstein “Masterpieces for Violin and Orchestra” is just what is says in the title – a masterpiece! My wife who knows her stuff says it contains some of the best violin playing that she has ever heard. All I know is that once I put this record on she always sits down with me to listen.

Box Sets too – Analogue Productions does the best Box Sets in the business. I have already mentioned Creedence and The Doors, and for Jazz add to that list Bill Evans “The Complete Riverside Recordings” Miles Davis Quintet “Great Prestige Recordings” and Thelonious Monk “The Riverside Tenor Sessions” – three of my most loved possessions let alone records. Norah Jones, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Blood Sweat and Tears – all brilliant beautifully presented compendiums of their work. Then the more recent 45 RPM Deluxe Box Set series is a revelation too, again the versions to own of “Belafonte at Carnegie Hall” “Hope” and “The Royal Ballet Gala Performances." The Janos Starker Bach Box in this series is on its way to me as I write this and I cannot wait. I have to mention the Jimi Hendrix UHQR boxes for "Axis Bold as Love" – these are the high water mark for reissues of individual boxed titles – bring them on Chad we want to hear more!

Before I close what has turned out to be a love letter to Analogue Productions I have to share three titles that never fail to astound me or anyone else I play them for. They are the perfect combination of great music, great sound and for me are just the epitome of what Analogue Productions do.

The three are:

Ry Cooder and VM Bhatt “A Meeting by the River” double 45 LP – this is one of the LPs that is so organic sounding and beautifully played it can truly soothe the soul.

Leo Kottke “6 and 12 String Guitar” double 45 LP – it still stuns me that Leo was still a young man when this was issued back in 1969. This is the LP I put on to show friends what vinyl replay can really do and it helps that the music is so wonderful too.

Tony Joe White “Homemade Ice Cream” – double 45 or 33 LP – this is one I put on when the working day or just life in general gets too much – we have all been there. Sit back put on Tony Joe with the tipple of your choice and suddenly all is mellow again.

So there you have it. Analogue Productions may they continue to do what they do. I know I will be watching for what comes out next.

PS I have to mention the Nat King Cole series and Sam Cooke – two of the greatest singers ever recorded and here presented in the best possible way. So many records, so little time – thank you Analogue Productions for enhancing my listening pleasure and my life.

James Ellis
Brighton (UK)