‘The Harrow & The Harvest’: Gillian Welch’s seminal album on tape and an interview with David Rawlings

Last year Gillian Welch’s 2011 album, the Grammy-nominated The Harrow & The Harvest, described by the Washington Post as “Welch…at her haunting, heart-aching best,” was released for the first time ever on reel-to-reel tape via her own Acony Records (which she co-owns with long-time collaborator David Rawlings). It’s long been a favourite album of mine … More ‘The Harrow & The Harvest’: Gillian Welch’s seminal album on tape and an interview with David Rawlings

‘An Evening of New York Songs and Stories’: Suzanne Vega live on tape from Horch House

It’s fantastic that we’re starting to see a wider breadth of music available on reel-to-reel tape lately, both in terms of a broader range of genres and also an increasing number of contemporary artists alongside the ‘old greats’. Horch House have been doing some sterling work on this, with recent releases including Alice Cooper and … More ‘An Evening of New York Songs and Stories’: Suzanne Vega live on tape from Horch House

Electronic band Yello announce ‘The Mastertape Edition’ & ‘The Revox B77 MkII Yello Edition’

I have some exciting news for you here folks, especially for those of us craving a wider range of musical genres on tape. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of jazz and classical, but I also love a whole heap of other genres and am always hankering to hear more of them on … More Electronic band Yello announce ‘The Mastertape Edition’ & ‘The Revox B77 MkII Yello Edition’

6 tape decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2024

US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s annual Editors’ Choice Awards have been published in the March issue, and this year there are 6 tape decks that pick up a ‘gong’. Last year’s awards (5 of them) went to combination of new, vintage and hybrid decks and this year’s selection follows the same pattern (and actually features mostly … More 6 tape decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2024

Another iconic album release from Hemiolia Records: Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain

Boy, are these good times for Miles Davis fans! The folks at Hemiolia Records just keep on keeping ‘em coming with their incredible copy-master tape releases, and the next title has just been announced. Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain was recorded in late 1959 / early 1960 at Colombia Records’ 30th Street Studio (aka ‘The … More Another iconic album release from Hemiolia Records: Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain

Lyn Stanley’s Black Dress Ballads on copy-master tape reviewed by Neville Roberts

In which hi-fi journalist Neville Roberts reports on jazz singer Lyn Stanley’s latest release, mastered by none other than the great Bernie Grundman… Another set of copy-master tapes from the LA-based, internationally-acclaimed jazz singer Lyn Stanley arrived on my doorstep in December 2023. These tapes were the pre-production set of tapes for her latest album … More Lyn Stanley’s Black Dress Ballads on copy-master tape reviewed by Neville Roberts

Getting major league goosebumps with Miles Davis’ Ascenseur pour l’échafaud on tape from Hemiolia Records

Ascenseur Pour L’échafaud (aka Lift To The Scaffold, or Elevator To The Gallows) is a French movie released in 1958 and directed by Louis Malle. It’s a fabulous piece of cinema and one’s that very typical of the period. Shot in black and white, it’s moody, dark, haunting, tense, full of suspense, intrigue and – … More Getting major league goosebumps with Miles Davis’ Ascenseur pour l’échafaud on tape from Hemiolia Records

Gearbox Records offering master tape copies of their catalogue

Wowzer, this is pretty significant move in the context of reel-to-reel becoming more ‘mainstream’. London and Tokyo-based Gearbox Records is now making a big chunk of its back catalogue available to buy on copy master tape! There’s a long list of tapes available, each one copied direct from the original master to ¼-inch tape. The … More Gearbox Records offering master tape copies of their catalogue