Joni Mitchell Blue  by Rhino

 Mastering engineers: Steve Hoffman & Kevin Gray

 SOUND 5/5

 PACKAGING 5/5

 VALUE 5/5

  Although an original US pressing of Blue isn't exactly a rare record, it is one of the harder to find Joni Mitchell titles, especially in clean condition.  Luckily I found a nice original copy a few years back, that I was quite content with, but when I heard Steve Hoffman was remastering it I thought it was worth checking out.  This is not the first time he has worked with the masters for this title (he did a gold CD version for DCC in 1999) but it is the first time his mastering will be available to the public on vinyl.  In the music forum section of his website, Steve explains that he took a different approach to Blue this time and instead of trying to keep the sonic balance the same for each song, he let the song-to-song variances present on the master tape come through.  As far as the sound goes, this reissue is fantastic with an amazing clarity and focus that is missing on the original LP, while never being thin or bright.  The gatefold jacket, while missing the texture of the original, is superbly constructed and nicely tops off this highly recommended reissue.

 Frank Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely  by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

 Mastering engineer: Rob LoVerde

 SOUND 5/5

 PACKAGING 5/5

 VALUE 5/5

  If you are a Sinatra fan you know how essential this album is and you also probably know that the mono version is the way to go as MFSL does (or now realizes).  The original stereo mix is out of phase (sum the channels and Frank disappears!) which is difficult to overcome.  This recent MFSL reissue gives the impression you are actually in the studio with Sinatra.  The sound is clear, intimate and dynamic, in contrast to the first colorband w/vertical-text Capitol pressing (no US gray label has ever come to surface despite what Goldmine says) and later colorband w/center logo issues.  Both sound small, congested with a rolled off top and bottom compared to this version.  The reissues' cover is a step up in certain respects like the heavy cardboard gatefold, but a step back in others like the modified artwork and slightly cropped front and back images.  None the less MFSL has done a fine job to bring a version of this album to market that was never available at this level of quality.