I think that the very first vinyl record in my life was a Ray Conniff and The Singers album titled Alone Again (Naturally). I was about 4 years old, I think, and I already had my own turntable which was looking like a shoe box and was made of wood. It was a mono one, of course, Soviet record player named Caravella. Now I really can’t imagine I was using it, but back then I could not even dream about something else.

The album I’m talking about originally was released by Columbia Records in 1972. The Soviet pressing did not have the originally designed sleeve, it was a plain white one with the hole in its center, kind of looking like many internal sleeves of 70s. I very liked the record and was listening to it pretty often, especially while going to sleep. As far as I remember, that LP was very popular in former USSR. Both my uncles had it and some of my parents friends had it as well. That’s why, listening to it now brings me a lot of childhood memories.

I was growing up and my musical tastes moved to a different direction. At some point I lost this record, probably when immigrated from Soviet Union. Have not listen to it for maybe 20 years until my first daughter was born. I purchased a CD and was surprised on how she liked it as well. Now, I have two daughters and both of them prefer to listen to that album in a car. The oldest one likes the “Song Sung Blue” track and the little one likes “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast”. They even fight sometimes on what song to listen first, in that case I play “The Candy Man”, which they like both. Personally I prefer “Alone Again (Naturally)” and “Run To Me”.

Two weeks ago I was able to get the original 1972 pressing on Ebay, which came brand new and even sealed.

Yesterday I had a chance to listen to it and I can really say it sounds fantastic on my new turntable. Check it out below and let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueTWrgrZ0_U

Last Record Store Day was pretty busy for me because of my daughter’s birthday party, so unfortunately I was not able to get a Dio Magica picture vinyl, which was released with 500 copies only. Actually, I tried to. I came to the Streetlight Records in San Jose, but that was probably too late. There was already a huge line and they had only one copy there. My chances to get it were too small and I also was hurry to the party, so I had to leave.

After we done celebrating,  I took my son with his girlfriend and we headed to Rasputin Music Store in Berkeley, to meet Testament folks Chuck Billy, Eric Peterson and Greg Christian, to buy their new 7″ picture EP with cover songs released with Dark Roots of Earth and to sign it.

The Meet and Greet started at 4pm, but we arrived about 40 minutes before. I purchased the EP which looks fantastic. It contains only too songs: Animal Magnetism (originally by Scorpions) and Powerslave (originally by Iron Maiden). My Dark Roots of Earth LP also has Dragon Attack (originally by Queen).

When the band arrived to the store, everything went pretty fast. Everybody had a chance to sign what they had and to take a picture. I brought all Testament LPs I have. They signed them all.

You’re welcome to watch a short clip I prepared. This will give you a clear impression on how great was that to meet the band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zq7hXwJ7iM

Interesting issue I recently found with my new Music Hall MMF-7.1 turntable. Despite the fact I have it for about two months already, I had a chance to fully listen to it only two weeks ago when I stayed sick at home and did not go to work. I was laying on my sofa listening to one of my new LPs and suddenly noticed that the needle began to skip. That started on a last track of the record side.

When I approached the turntable and very carefully lifted its dust cover, the tonearm started to skip even more frequent. When the cover was completely up, skipping stopped. After carefully observing the tonearm, I was able to find, that when it approaches the end of the record side, the counterweight touches the dust cover.

Initially I thought, I did not calibrate correctly the counterweight, but after performing the balancing procedure two more times, I became confident, it’s impossible to do so it will not touch the cover.
Next day I contacted the seller and received a prompt confirmation from the sales manager, that the reason for the issue is the wrong counterweight provided by manufacturer. He immediately contacted them and asked them to send me a correct part.

The new  counterweight has arrived three days ago. Visually it looks thinner than the original one. The new one is much heavier.

I tried to install it and was not able to do it properly, because of its heavy weight. No matter what I did, the cartridge always stays up.

 This morning have contacted Mr. Leland Leard, he is a VP sales and marketing person at Music Hall, and explained him my situation. Hope, he will be able to resolve the issue fast. If not, I will probably consider returning the turntable.

I really thought that the list of my favorites bands is pretty stable, but now I know I was wrong. And it’s really cool to admit that. I’m adding one more band to that list, the Trash Metal folks from Australia – 4ARM.  Never heard of them before the Dark Roots of Trash tour. I was there at the very first eve on January 30, eight days ago. There I heard them for the very first time and liked them so much.

This band was formed in 2004 and in 2005 they released their debut album titled “13 Scars”.

During this tour, 4ARM shares the stage with Testament, Overkill and Flotsam and Jetsam. They totally blew my mind with their performance. I was not able to remember all the song titles they announced at the concert, but coming back home I started to dig the YouTube found some of them. Especially liked the Submission for Liberty, the track from their latest same titled album released in 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbR7q0GiZ_0

Actually, I think these guys took a bit from Metallica, Slayer, Testament, Pantera and compiled it into the great and powerful Trash Metal, sharp sounded, aggressive, heavy and melodic as we all like.

Day after the concert, I started to search for 4ARM vinyl records, but unfortunately was not able to find any, so I had to buy a CD. I purchased the latest album and also wanted to buy the previous one “The Empires of Death”, but the only CD I found for sale on Ebay costs about $25 plus $8 shipping from Australia, so I decided to wait, because that would be too much for a CD.

Two days ago I got my order and listen only to that CD on my way to work and back home. Really enjoy it, especially the following tracks: “While I Lie Awake”, “The Oppressed”, “I Will Not Bow” and “My Fathers Eyes”. Indeed, they made the amazing stuff which makes me feel awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_B9Vr2_HaQ

From the previous album I liked the first track “Carnal”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z1i6cuy7Ho

The CD insert has all the lyrics and looks very nice, but not as the vinyl could look like.

Very hope, they will release their albums on a vinyl some day, but till then I really recommend you to check that band out. Believe me, you will not stay disappointed.

Needed to upgrade my 8 years old Stanton STR8-80, because its motor became a bit noisy. Made the research and picked up the MMF-7.1 turntable from Music Hall Audio. I prepared a video where you can see me unboxing and assembling this guy.

Also, there I explain why exactly I picked up this particular model. You’ll be able to listen how it sounds with Pro-Ject Tube Box S preamp, Jolida JD1000RC power amplifier and Polk Audio RTiA7 speakers.

Here are some highlight features which turned my attention to that turntable:

1. Dual-plinth construction and side motor, which is basically separated from the unit, eliminate extra noises and vibration.

2. Ortofon Mojo MM cartridge with user replaceable fritz gyger FG70 diamond stylus provide a great deep sound which I could never get from my previous record player.

3. Pro-Ject carbon tonearm, very light with lifting mechanism, easy adjustable contra weight and anti-skate weight.

4. Classic view and finally relatively affordable price.

Hope, you’ll find the video useful, interesting and it will somehow help you pick up your new player. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61NzjeIE3X8

Last Friday I had a chance to talk to Voivod folks Away (Michel Langevin) and Blacky (Jean-Yves Thériault) before they hit the stage of Fox Theater in Oakland, CA promoting their upcoming album Target Earth. Though I had a very limited time with them, I really enjoyed the conversation in a nice and friendly atmosphere. Hope you guys will enjoy watching it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qQcDWXyxiA

I have a tradition to bring with me some vinyl record of the band/artist I interview, so before I left the room they signed for me my Infini double colored LP. Now it looks much better:

I would like to use the opportunity and to thank Nikki Law from Century Media Records for organizing the interview and inviting me to the concert. I very appreciate that.

Stay tuned, because we gonna have a review of “Target Earth” LP very soon, but… in case we gonna survive the December:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3vpr6u-DyY

This whole week goes for me under the aegis of Teutonic Metal and I really like it. Not only on my way to work, not only at home, but also live. Last Tuesday I’ve been a witness of a great Rock event in San Francisco. As you may know, at this tour Accept and Kreator share a stage for the first time. Classics Heavy Metal Legend and Giants of Trash, what an awesome collaboration!

For me, the most important part of the evening was planned before the concert, because I had a scheduled interview with Wolf Hoffmann. Though this was not a first time I interview the great musician, I still was a bit tense, probably because I came there after work and after almost 90 minutes drive in traffic. But the conversation passed in a very friendly atmosphere. Wolf probably felt I’m a beginner, so he helped me a lot. Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUeWaSYEhbY

After the interview, Wolf and Peter kindly agreed to sign my vinyls:

Later I received a press photo pass to the venue, so I could stand right in front the stage and shoot some photos. That was a huge nice surprise for me, it made the evening even more pleasant. Pictures are available here. The pass was intended for Accept’s performance only, so I was not able to capture Kreator. Next time:)

Also, I would like to use the opportunity and to say that I’m very thankful to Accept’s manager Gaby who kindly helped me to organize the interview. I very appreciate her help.