STEREOPHILE'S MICHAEL FREMER: MY GREATEST SOUNDING RECORDS, Pt. I

John Renbourn “Sir John A Lot Of”
Talk Talk “Spirit of Eden”
Louis Armstrong “Satchmo Plays King Oliver”
The Rolling Stones “Sticky Fingers”
John Lewis and Sasha Distel “Afternoon in Paris” (SAM)
XTC “English Settlement”
Peter Townshend and Ronnie Lane “Rough Mix”
The Who “A Quick One”
Traffic “Mr. Fantasy” (British)
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[@kft590]

His love of music is contagious. He is passionate about Vinyl Records.

[@SanAntoneRose]

I love listening to Micheal. I have learned so much and his enthusiasm is contagious. My record collection has really expanded; I’ve got some great music in my library I would have never heard of, if not for Michael. So thank you for that. Nothing better than vinyl music!

[@Chris.from.1950]

Man, oh, man. I'm still mining this interview for nuggets of gold almost a year later, Ken! I'm listening to “Afternoon in Paris" for the first time, right now. Wikipedia says it was recorded in two days, during December 1956. I was six years old, then. In first grade, living in Waukegan, Illinois, Benny Goodman's home town. I'm listening to the album streaming, not on vinyl, but, even so. Gee. Beautiful music, beautifully recorded, taking me to a wonderful place. Thank you, sir, from the bottom of my heart. Press on!

[@TrippinGnome]

Great interview! Love listening to Mr. Fremer talk about turntables, records and music, he seem to have so much energy when discussing the topics.

[@NickP333]

Fantastic vid. Thanks, Ken and Michael. Looking forward to pt.2. Btw, I love Michael’s impersonations! They’re hysterical.

[@robertkok5263]

Mikey is the only funny audiophile around which is really sayin' something. Self-mockery is also one of his endearing qualities.

[@markevans7969]

So glad to see you posting such great informative videos. It keeps us going.

[@garyolshan4177]

Love XTC. English Settlement is a masterpiece.

[@martinbroekhoven]

Great video again Ken! Always a pleasure to listen to Michael! Funny that I listened to XTC - English Settlement (original) yesterday evening (and posted it on JVL FFF --> some people still don't understand the FFF part...). I had the same experience, didn't listen to it for a few years, since upgrading my setup and it sounded spectacular! Hoping for a Who's Next and a great shoutout to SAM records. 'Nathan Davis live in Paris' is a contender for best jazz reissue of the year for me! Thanks again for the video.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thanks for posting XTC Martin

[@LagunaRider1961]

OUTSTANDING! Can’t wait for part 2 👏👏

[@QoraxAudio]

Must be very easy to conduct an interview with Michael, because he basically interviews himself, keeps on going. Good content!

[@bjrnsjohnsen1278]

Lol yes, for better or for worse.

[@QoraxAudio]

@@bjrnsjohnsen1278 For better when you're a visitor at Michael... but having to live with someone like him is annoying, that endless stream of words... he'll talk your head off lol

[@AnalogPlanet]

@@QoraxAudio Do you really think I'm like that when the camera is off? I'm not.

[@QoraxAudio]

@@AnalogPlanet Haha no, I just let the imagination do its work 😜

[@TheVinylGuru]

@@QoraxAudio ....you can't actually believe he's like that when the lights are off? Come on. He is an entertainer as well as an educator. It's part of his cocktail. Let's be honest, you'd order that drink at the bar...everytime.

[@oscarporteroazcona7585]

I don't know why I enjoy more all this great people through your channel ThxK 🔭

[@joerglemann]

fingers crossed that the Who‘s Next classic records 45rpm version will be done by Chad ... and thanks for this great video Ken!

[@PeterMooshammer]

Thx for reminding me. I had the XTC album since it was released. I recently bought a turntable after 30 yrs and was looking for great sounding albums. It is a great sounding record for sure.

[@BarakaPDub]

Awesome video Ken! Thanks for doing this one with all the editing.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thanks, Paul

[@stevedundee866]

Informative ..educational and entertaining...Michael Fremer is awesome. Loved watching..thank you.

[@robbiedetroitstigermanviny8883]

Amazing Amazing Pressings. Thank you Vinyl God Mr. Fremer!!!

[@michaelvaladez6570]

He's the man he knows where any and every record is in his collection. I love He's giving the scoop on pressing and engineers on what vinyl..amazing.

[@TheVinylGuru]

Hes truly one of my favourite people in the world. Thank you for this.

[@michaelkaplan22b]

Nice that you mentioned Audio Fidelity. When I was in high school, Sidney Frey personally gave me a copy of AFLP 1872, the first Westrex 45/45 single-groove stereo record pressed in 1957. I was doing an electronics project and set up a primitive stereo playback system in my bedroom. I have a few of those early AF recordings on 2-track stereo tape, and they still sound amazingly good.

[@DrOz-007]

Rough Mix by Townshend and Lane is indeed an almost forgotten masterpiece. Get your near mint 1978 copy whilst stocks last!

[@lynnpoole7830]

Yep, I had a copy but my housemate stole it.

[@jamiebo100]

Thanks Ken for bringing Mr.Fremer back ....endlessly entertaining .... what about Jimmy Vinyl next ? ....must be getting cold out there !

[@bareknuckles2u]

I like records...a lot...and he makes me like em' even more!

[@beandog100]

I love this guy. He just puts a smile on your face. NEVER stop doing the accents, Michael. The English one at the end just cracked me up (I'm from London) :)

[@nrod66]

Great video! Looking forward to Part 2.

[@leiferickson9666]

Like the humor.....and the reviews......🍁

[@joelhegge39]

Thanks for the Rough Mix love. I know how great it is!

[@richardwhite2344]

Great video!!!! Some of the best sounding records are on the Phase 4 Stereo Label!!! They sound incredible

[@mubodude]

Great selection, no wonder there's heavy breathing throughout the video!

[@OFBCyclingWorld]

Love the way he talked about English Settlement by XTC. Great record. Luckily I have two copies of the original 2 record sets as well. Just like Mikey!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nigelgauntlett582]

I’m a huge record collector! Michael’s choices are exceptional ( I own almost all of them ) These are truly worth seeking out for both Sonics and more importantly the music!

[@derosa1989]

i get that some people aren't into sleeves to protect the jackets, and those cloudy polyethylene soft sleeves make everything look bad. But the sleevecity "ultimate 5.0" sleeve is great, clear, and it's easy to handle, and sturdy enough to just drop records in, and slide off when you want to play the record.

[@jm_1214]

Michael seems to be the only person that can hear how superior vinyl is to any type of digital. Perhaps because of his table. I went to Kuzma and it completely transformed my experience with vinyl. I threw my cds away last month. I use a 200.00 streamer to discover new music

[@DonHamlin]

Love it! Can’t wait for part 2.

[@dcrook232323]

Great stuff guys. One of Michael's best (& Ken's) due to Ken asking great audiophile related Qs. We don't have enough of these detailed vinyl reviews, I've often shared with MF. Nice to see the fitness 💪 efforts; I'm a gym rat. Keep shsring the vinyl techniques, industry, insider stories & tips.

[@boogiewoogie9770]

Just found a mint UK orig John Renbourne. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@willschaff969]

please tell me there's going to be 1270 parts to this series

[@echoed61]

The boss of vinyl. :)

[@ralex3697]

I like Michael Fremer Very entertaining and knowledgeable as well Peter Frampton - Winds of Change - Great album Mark Hollis greatly missed, amazing talent Best in the business

[@bjrnsjohnsen1278]

To each his own I guess, Michael’s certainly an ‘acquired taste’

[@mroflynn7769]

45 push up Michael !! Wow , that's amazing , well done, that is really impressive. Full credit , many are pushing up Big Macs and sodas . Anthony

[@SamuelRivera_DAMN]

Sending over good vibes to Chad... we need The Who’s Next classic records repress

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

I have an original UK Track press. Sounds spectacular 🤩

[@christerpedersen7818]

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 I have also that Track press. As You said - exellent.

[@davidthom7127]

Need to know what your turntable was and what you changed it to, please ?

[@analoguecity3454]

Great stuff! I'm not going to get into my politics about our hmm, hmm "situation"😉! Just enjoy music and sound talk!

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

@20:20 - I don't use those plastic 'protective' sleeves either. I hate the feeling of the plastic and cumbersome - and they can act as a mini greenhouse depending on your local climate - trapping in ambient moisture.. albums will 'breath' and take in some moisture but it's harder for it to rectify with the plastic on. Among other issues we have found out about like chemical reactions. I only put a plastic sleeve on higher priced Items that get shipped out the door for the 'discerning' customer.

[@laurelhardy4064]

17:40 "I'm offending so many people I love it" LMAO.

[@MrBrodernafluff]

Some people might need to get offended 🤣

[@andympro1]

two fifty Dolla like doing accent too love it.

[@AsTheTableTurns]

Very cool interview! Loved it!

[@BritProgJazz]

Great video. Love Michael!

[@frankclack9096]

I have an interesting direct disc from Sheffield Labs featuring Thelma Houston, any comments on this?

[@AnalogPlanet]

"I got the Music In Me"....used to be super collectible but not so much now. However, still great sound and music...

[@drmoss_ca]

A small correction: Peter Frampton was not a member of the band Camel, but his second solo album was called Frampton's Camel.

[@ErrVine]

Just want to point out that the Sticky Fingers label shown in this video at 11:18 is NOT the same as the label shown on the german pressing that Michael Fremer shows us in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqLdZYaHeLCpldE At 40:05 Michael displays the vinyl, and you can see the label does not match the one inserted into the above video. Both German pressings, but one was pressed in 1971 with the TML etching, and the other in 1979 without TML. The pressing Michael recommends is the 1971 TML pressing mastered by Doug Sax.

[@thomashowe5256]

Great! looking forward to the next two parts. Michael looks great. I’m interested in his diet and fitness regime.

[@AnalogPlanet]

Pilates. The greatest. I did it using the Stott reformer machine in the gym but since Covid the teacher sent two mat Pilates videos that I do every other day....+ push ups. Life changer!

[@bloodyhell451]

You crack me up Mikey ! Preach on brother Fremer.

[@joemartin6439]

Thanks so much Michael

[@joemartin6439]

Never stop spinning vinyl my Dual 1229 working great for 50 years. Grace F-9 U Rudy cantilever mR diamond.

[@AnalogPlanet]

Grace F-9 fantastic!

[@neoaureus]

The editing is insane.....I started checking my modem!

[@johnmorgan6724]

Nice selections M. Is this list for real or what? Do you have any recordings of John Coltrane on the Sunset Strip? I know someone who might want to remember something . . .

[@helgar791]

If you hate resealable outer sleeves Vinyl Storage Solutions makes a tuckable record sleeve. They also make them with double pockets so that you can place your record outside the record in a second pocket for easy access. They also make a resealable with a second pocket. I like to use the resealables with the second pocket, buy a plain white record jacket, place the record into the plain jacket and then put that behind the original jacket in the second sleeve. Both Sleeve City and Vinyl Storage Solutions make their sleeves out or polypropylene making them crystal clear. VSS also makes a clear inner sleeve which is great for those who love pictured vinyl, or for those like me that like to see the label.

[@mubodude]

Good to know. I hate having to get the record back into its place while trying to keep the sleeve from bunching up. Unless you use them open side up.

[@helgar791]

@@mubodude Me too. If you watch VSS video's you'll see him showing how to use double pocket resealabales to cover gatefold albums. More expensive and labor intensive, but it will save your covers. I also found a way, by cutting one non sticky flap, to cover gatefolds with attached booklets inside, leaving the booklet free to look at. Works for me. VSS is in the process of making extra wide outer sleeves, with and without pockets, for large double albums or smaller box sets. I used Sleeve City for a long time, but their resealables are only 3 mil while VSS's are 4 mil. I begged the guy at Sleeve City to make 4 mils but he felt there was little profit in it. I still buy my plain white record jackets from SC though.

[@nigelstansfield1644]

This is supposed to limit ring damage on your precious covers.

[@vinylrulesok8470]

My original copy of The Wall got ruined because it was too tightly stored on a shelf and was in a protective sleeve. The protective sleeve stuck to the cover

[@markeslick1680]

He’s always so much fun. Such great anecdotes. Really enjoyed the video Ken. A couple of points I noticed: He didn’t pick any jazz as best sounding in his collection The only record I have that he showed is Traffic, Mr. Fantasy .....also,....I may have seen Bread in the 70s.....

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Louis Armstrong is not jazz?

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

I love bread!

[@damianzaninovich4900]

Slow dancing to Bread chest to chest is etched in my memory in 1976 at the end of 8th grade. My wife and I recently heard “Everything I Own” on the radio and it left us speechless. David Gates explains the song is about his dad and sings it on a KZbin video that’s worth seeing.

[@matzeflamingos]

Great video - Michael has the same hair stylist like "The jazz shepherd" no one;-)

[@davidhindle594chemicalman]

I think it may have been in the early sixties that I bought probably about eight/ ten what was called at that time direct cut records. I played them on my transcriptors hydraulic deck, through my tannoys 15” monitor gold speakers. The sound was fantastic, it’s a pity I’ve not played them for over twenty years.

[@nigelstansfield1644]

Play your records!1 day you won:t be around to.

[@davidhindle594chemicalman]

@@nigelstansfield1644 thanks I still have the equipment, I will have to get it sorted, that’s what I call a record collection

[@audiophileusa333]

wow, I have most these albums. Good to know.

[@timwhelan4432]

Picked up a German Sticky Fingers with T.M.L. In Berlin - that said the British 1971 one I have is also T.M.L. 👍

[@christerpedersen7818]

One of the best recordings ever is "Skol" 1982 Pablo Records. Piano - Oscar Peterson, Bass- Niels Henning Örsted Pedersen (no relative) live Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen- Denmark. Another great one is Count Basie at Newport 1957. Polygram Classics inc. Made in Japan -se 8301. These two, both live, are in a different league. Well, then theres a couple of Verves and Vertigos! The best is almost those which are made live. Always listen to the applauses. If these sounds real...thats it! And of course vinyl and and a direct drive japanese player. Takes down everything!

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

XTC english settlement I have passed up I didn't know what it was. I grew up in that era but was not exposed to XTC more Duran Duran , The Jam, ect.

[@Nigel-nar53]

That was Ace thank you. 👍

[@redrustler1]

Coincidentally enough, I recently picked up a sealed copy of the 2016 RSD reissue of Jorma Kaukonen's first solo release Quah. I purchased it in 2020 for less than it retailed in 2016. The seller received even less than he or she paid. Moral of the story is listen to your records.

[@billhart4616]

Ken- the drum solo intro in the first Fremer video- playing on what looks like an old TD 124-- what is the album? TIA Bill Hart

[@robertthurston6858]

Yes who was drumming in the intro of Michael Fremer video ?

[@Gregor7677]

Good on you for the 45 push-ups. I’m 73 too.

[@thyslop1737]

The Jack Lalane overlay? You know what Jack said? "if it tastes good spit it out"

[@OFBCyclingWorld]

I Love Mikey's filing system. Just shove it in any shelf. If you don't love Michael there is something wrong with you.

[@QoraxAudio]

Plenty people with Crosley Cruizer recordplayers who don't like him! 😜😂

[@mubodude]

I would guess that it was Andy Partridge who had the "nervous breakdown" as apparently he has extreme stage fright. Hence minimal touring.

[@VinylGourmetTV]

Talk Talk Spirit Of Eden was reissued in 2012 and promoted as being cut directly from the analog master tape, I can't remember the details from back then but I would assume it is a true analog reissue cut from the master tape, and it is good quality. The the original recording process itself, however, was not 100% analog, it seems like some elements were recorded or/and mixed digitally, then all put into final analog tape for mastering.

[@mroflynn7769]

ps are they a spare pair of Wilsons behind you ? Anthony

[@Theomite]

The Wisdom of the Ages...distilled into The Good Parts version at a 45rpm Fremerate so you learn it even faster. I like the cut of this Kallman guy's jib. I need the schematics of this archive of his for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with me foolishly trying to build one of my own ofcousenotthat'sjustsilly.

[@markscott7583]

Great video.

[@alansenzaki4148]

You've offended me twice..first lam japanese american (don't speak japanese) second i do'nt like getting up every ten minutes...Just kidding!! Love your knowledge of all these great records! Thank you! Nice to hear your voice again Ken!

[@willschaff969]

Love this guy

[@JCW-jx6ld]

Missed him reviewing records on you tube this year

[@Jamko1970]

He is so right about Sticky Fingers the German pressing is incredible!!

[@jlmain5777]

I love accents.

[@thislazylife]

Have you seen the video of the Chinese guy making fun of Americans? "Is this gluten free?" It's pretty spot-on.

[@SubTroppo]

Being English, there is nothing quite like Fremer's turbulent invective in variable English accents to "tickle me pink". I wonder whether he has "Derek and Clive Live" in his collection (Peter Cook and Dudley Moore).

[@Boatzerama]

Talk Talk were brilliant. Mark Hollis RIP.

[@vinylcity1599]

Hey? You got a haircut! I dug the locks, but its good either way!

[@jeffrytrefry2469]

and you are letting the young vinyl people know how fun it was for us before Kent State. So you have any Abby Hoffman on vinyl?

[@alsex6224]

Oh my G... The Who's next !

[@WarinPartita6]

Very​ smart and​ funny​

[@notDonaldFagen]

Haha the Last sticker part is funny!

[@strahljd]

I love Michael Fremer, anyone who has a problem with this guy is out of their mind

[@jeffrytrefry2469]

I wasn't enamored of you at first, but your rapierlike NYC/Catskill wit and humour is truly fun. You can't 'hang with J Lennon (who could) or Don Tickles but I know you "Just can't get no respect!". You are at your very best when you are being YOU!....in your kind way.

[@BubblesBubbles]

That TML pressing is now around 100 U.S. dollars. The power of KZbin.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

@15:00 yes 45 should have been the defacto for Hi-Fidelity standards with Records - depends on what you put on it as well.. not always better - but he's correct about the fidelity 'should' be improved - remember when they had to get up every 5 minutes with a 78?? 😅

[@stephenparker4735]

"he's a wanker" That's a great British accent!

[@Pointsbeingmade]

I owned a few of the carts he has. Hes got it down.

[@Rigs275]

I am all about the music not what it is worth. I agree with Michael

[@joemartin6439]

Micheal I just admire your humour and please don’t let stereotypes get you down. This lunch pale guy loves your audio no

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Yip vinyl is the best definitely the most musical, after listening to it for a while you can hardly listen to cd or streaming

[@garyspence8383]

Loud little man !

[@OwlsRNotWhatTheySeem]

The first Bread record is great

[@mymixture965]

More Fremer please! But he must be a very sad person if he really don't need more records.

[@AnalogPlanet]

of course I need more records! That was a joke! I need more space though and that's not funny!

[@mymixture965]

@@AnalogPlanet I know it was a joke :-) One thing I found out about the TML Sticky Fingers today. I have a COC German Pressing with TML in the dead wax and today I got another german pressing wich looks exactly like the one that is shown in the video, it has NO TML, but it sounds exactly the same as my TML. Exactly the same? Well, if I had to choose I would pick the one without TML, it is a little more open, but that is esoteric. Maybe it is the German pressing, the germans made good pressings. I am from Austria and so I have a lot of them and to me they are underrated, just my 2 cents.