From the very first bars, when drums and bass start, it is clear where the sonic journey is going: this recording does not lack a magnificent bass cellar. It is not too thickly applied, but definitely very rich. Sorry to record lovers: this is quite different from the master tape copy, which is certainly because the sound material is played 1:1 on the tape and thus not subject to the many reversal processes of the production of a record. Another attribute is the clarity of the low frequency sound.
This is the foundation of good sound, which continues through all octaves to the treble. Therefore, I would describe the tonal balance of this production as perfect. The sound bounces and resonates and spreads a particularly good atmosphere. When Hans Theessink's vocals enter and the chorus is accompanied by his background choir, pure "blue mood" is ensured. The music is in the blues and country genre. The discreetly played guitar fits into the sound picture - not much more is needed. Almost all pieces are of leisurely pace, few are more fast paced. Nothing is rushed, pieces with five minutes length are no problem.
On the internet you can read all the lyrics and see some photos of the band on Hans Theessink's homepage http://www.theessink.com/en/albums/slow_train.html. This edition on tape is a jewel with a high value: the right to exist of this medium cannot be better represented!
This superbly recorded and engineered album transferred on tape has been copied from the Master and will put you in front of a terrific selection of classic tunes, with some tracks supported by lovely vocals from both male and female singers.
When Hans Theessink's vocals enter and the chorus is accompanied by his background choir, a pure "blue mood" is ensured. The music is in the blues and country genres. The discreetly played guitar fits into the sound picture - not much more is needed. Almost all pieces are of leisurely pace, few are more fast-paced. Nothing is rushed, pieces with five minutes in length are no problem.
Album: Hans Theessink - Slow Train
Label: STS Analog - T6111181
Playing time: 40 min
Specifications: half track ¼“, stereo, RTM LPR35, 1 metal reel, CCIR, 320 nWb/m, 38 cm/s
Tracklist:
1 Slow Train
2 Katrina
3 Thula Mama - Oh Mother Don't You Weep
4 God Created The World
5 Cry Cry Cry
6 Let Go
7 Love You Baby
8 Old Man Trouble
9 Leaving At Daybreak
For decades of the last century, tape technology was the only way to record music. After the advent of digital technology, the medium of tape became very quiet in the 1990s. Fortunately, some studios held on to the technology during this time and continued to produce in analog. For some years now, tape has been celebrating its comeback. Master tapes from the 1940s to the 1990s are still available in large numbers in the archives and are often so well preserved that they can either be copied directly or are available again in their best sonic form after remastering.
Many tape recorders could be saved over the decades and are available in best condition after maintenance. New manufacturers are on the market with machines. Some companies produce accessories such as tape reels, adapters and devices that allow connection to a modern stereo system. There are also brand new tapes for sale.
Master tape copies allow you to hear the uncompressed music signal exactly as the studio produced it. From the tape, you hear two true stereo channels directly, so they don't have to be generated from a digital data stream or from the groove of a record. Master tape copies are the pinnacle of music listening.
The look and feel of tapes make a valuable contribution to the music experience, and of course it's also about revering the technology from the past. It's great to hear the rich sounds of operating the buttons on the tape recorder and watch the spinning reels. Many publishers package the tape reels lavishly and include special photos, booklets or other material with them.
By Claus Müller - audiotapereview.com
