Page 87 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

AUDIOPHILE VINYL

his is a four LP col- and Ingar Zach. Lots of improv
lection. Four vinyl LPs, here.
that is – plus two extra ‘Towards Language - Live at
TCDs that duplicate the Punkt’ sees our man together with
material. All arrive in a slip case. Eivind Aarset (guitars) and Jan Bang
Featuring unreleased material / Erik Honoré (electronics, live
spanning around ten years, the sampling).
set features ‘Captured Under During mastering tests, the
Mountainsides’. It includes Skúli over-riding effect I had from these
Sverrisson and Hilmar Jensson and albums was the infusion of space
focuses on Henriksen’s home, the within each. The air that swills
western part of Norway, the death around the midrange and treble
of his brother and the sparse, maximises the large soundstage
empty space, a wild landscape. and provides a broad and sweeping
Nature, busting at the seams. presentation. Ideal for the often
The next LP, ‘Acousmograph’ ambient effects in and around
sees the man on his own and is Henriksen’s music. Those partial to
more experimental in nature, taking an extended reverb tail or two will
classical music as an inspiration. be most pleased. ARVE HENRIKSEN
Henriksen’s ability to make the The odd breathy moments
trumpet sound like a flute is to the during soft trumpet passages
fore here. add both atmosphere and a
‘Cryosphere’ is a co- sense of immediacy to the entire
production with long time production.
collaborator Jan Bang, re-modelling This is a fine collection for
material from a series of evolving Henricksen, a selection of rarities The Timeless Nowhere
concert performances and featuring that will only strengthen his fan Rune Grammofon
Audun Kleive, Helge Norbakken base.
AUDIOPHILE VINYL

panning the group’s edition arrives in a gatefold triple
appearance in the vinyl set with a fully printed inner
famous live 1970 and bundled with a CD version.
Sfestival, the content On a mastering level? The
includes less known pieces includ- words ‘audiophile’ and ‘live
ing ‘I Don’t Even Know Myself’, album’ are often a contradiction
‘Water’ and ‘Naked Eye’. in terms, because the inherent
The set begins with an sonic frequencies are lined up to
introduction: “From Shepherds resemble a dog’s breakfast.
Bush, London...The Who!” Actually, Positioned on an elevated
no. What he says is, “From Shepards platform, in the open air, with
Bush, London...Th’Oo!” rudimentary equipment set up and
The band seemed to be ‘on’. no isolation, the aural response
The performance was full of is less about accuracy and more
intensity and energy so even if about energy and that’s what you
you’ve heard 1001 renditions of get here. Passion, energy and music
‘Tommy’ played live, this particular propelled at your ears with drive
example is worthy of some note. and dynamism.
There’s also a sense of connection This live album is not about
with the audience and maybe this is chin scratching and gauging the THE WHO
part of the reason for the concert’s relative merits of any possible 3D
success. That is, one lifts the other effect of the central soundstage. Oh
to emotional heights. no. This one is about sweat, spittle,
This new version of the classic mad staring eyes (well, it is if you
release comes from earMUSIC/Edel glance towards Keith Moon) and
as part of a major vinyl imprint force. This is three slabs of emotion. Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival
that looks to release 200 titles. This And it’s all the better for it. earMUSIC

www.hi-fiworld.co.uk JANUARY 2020 HI-FI WORLD 87