Margriet Sjoerdsma - A Tribute to Eva Cassidy

Publisher: STS Analog, T6111197

Playing time: 34 min

Specifications: half track ¼“, stereo, RTM LPR35, CCIR, 320 nWb/m, 38 cm/s

Reel(s): 1 high quality metal reel, punched

Packaging: 1 standard cardboard box, with sticker

Inserts: 1 insert sheet

Homepage: https://sts-digitalshop.nl/reel-to-reel/

Translation of the German review:

Dutch Margriet Sjoerdsma and her band came to the market with an album inspired by the wonderful musical material of the singer Eva Cassidy. I find the title "A Tribute To Eva Cassidy" very well chosen. This clearly delineates the intention of this production: It should not be about a vocal competition or something similar, but about the own contribution or a tribute to the artist Eva Cassidy, who died much too early from cancer. Her brother Dan Cassidy can be heard on violin on some of the songs. This gives this production a family character, freely according to the motto: "There is a part of Eva". I think that's a great idea.

Of course, Eva Cassidy has set the bar very high with her evocative and distinct vocals. However, Margriet Sjoerdsma also leads confidently through the songbook with her gorgeous voice. In some titles the singers are very similar, so that I can hardly tell them apart at first. However, after repeated intensive listening, I realize that each of the two vocal artists manages to give the music her own nuance. It's the little things that impress me. On a couple of tracks, Margriet Sjoerdsma grows beyond herself and breaks away from the "tribute." Her vocals connect even more with the instruments, such as the guitar played by Arie Storm on "San Francisco Bay Blues." Through this intimate interpretation, the magical moments of this recording are condensed. Cord Heineking on bass, Arie Strom on guitar and dobro, and Dan Cassidy on violin form a very pleasant playing acoustic band. The four deliver a well-rounded musical picture that was very well recorded and mixed. The tape was mastered by Fritz de With (STS Analog) using his "MW Coding Process". The dubbing was done at STS ANALOG in the Netherlands from a THORENS "TM 1600" to a PHILIPS "N4522". The demands of audiophile listeners are met. I find the selection and order of the nine songs on the tape to be very well balanced. A few of them have a dreamy character, others follow more of an energetic approach.

For a sound carrier comparison I had the vinyl edition sent to me. In principle, the vinyl cannot compete with the tape; however, since Günter Kürten went to PAULER ACOUSTICS in Northeim with his new tape machine THORENS "TM 1600" and there Günter Pauler himself laid hands on his Neumann DMM cutting machine during the direct transfer, the copper foil was cut with every conceivable experience and accuracy. The pressing of the 45 vinyl was done at the OPTIMAL company in Röbel. So all the best ingredients. With the tape as well as the record the production-technical upper limit is reached. My TELEFUNKEN "M15" plays this tape with the right portion of energy. It is a celebration of sound, when the two magnetic tracks are converted without any ado into electrical signals and made directly available to the HiFi chain. Conclusion: Start the device, lean back and indulge in pure acoustic and musical pleasure.

If you want to buy the perfect complement with really many songs, I can recommend the record box "Nightbird" by Eva Cassidy. This 45 rpm version with 7 LPs represents Eva Cassidy's musical legacy in top analog quality.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)