INAKUSTIK - Great Cover Versions

Publisher: INAKUSTIK, Art. Nr.: In-Akustik-507-38

Playing time: 59 min

Specifications: half track ¼", stereo, SM 468 , CCIR, 510 nWb/m, 38 cm/s

Reel(s):               3 special metal reels, printed, (1 empty reel)

Packaging:        1 special cardboard box, printed, with spine labeling

Inserts:               1 booklet with 12 pages

Homepage: https://www.stereo-shop.de/inakustik-mastertapes

Translation of the German review:

After I reviewed "Great Voices Vol. 1" in "analog" 02/21, I received very positive feedback from listeners with audiophile demands. The "wow effect" is certainly also due to the RESO mastering process, which improves the depth, but also the audibility of the material. The fact that the source material was excellently recorded is of course the basis for the success of the final product.

The follow-up review is now the compilation "Great Cover Versions". I chose for this review the version with the speed of 38 cm/s, which was distributed on two tape reels. The "fingerprint" of the IN-AKUSTIK label can be heard immediately: Many tracks come along leisurely, which is quite conducive to the depth of the musical events. Besides the musical content, the emotional part is not neglected. With the selection of titles, you can expect some "punch" at one point or another, which makes the mixture of songs colorful.

There are seven titles on each of the two tapes:

1. Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds: "All The Way Lover".

When a singer manages to interpret a song with such dedication and impressiveness, it is quickly forgotten that it is a cover version. With the soft but richly recorded music, the buyer can expect a true musical celebration at the opening of this compilation.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 1 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

2. friend 'n' fellow: "Here Comes The Rain Again"

This duo has secured a firm place in the audiophile camp with its special vocal and guitar touch. Thus, this track also bristles with professionalism without, however, neglecting the finesse.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 2 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

3. Sophie B. Hawkins: "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" (Acoustic)

The sonorous voice is good in the lower registers but unfortunately comes across as brittle and strained in the higher spheres. The string accompaniment together with the piano makes a nice arrangement.

Vocals: 3 | Interpretation: 1 | Music: 2 | Sound: 2

4. Chris Thompson: "Davy's On The Road Again"

Arranging this classic with big band and jazz touches is the best idea to set it apart from the original version. I hope the rough phases of the voice are a deliberately used stylistic device. A very atmospheric track with a remarkably clean bass line.

Vocals: 2 | Interpretation: 1 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

5. Leela James: "It Hurts Me So Much"

Another energetic track that blows through the stereo if you step it up a bit with the volume. The beautiful and deep bass line carries the vocals and instruments. The modern, round and expressive playing makes this song a highlight for me.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 1 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

6. Gary Barden: "When A Blind Man Cries"

This artist is a safe bet in the audiophile spectrum when it comes to conveying emotions. So I also find this ballad with its earthy depth very successful. It has earworm character for me and will certainly be played often.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 1 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

7. Caroline Herring: "True Colours"

Approaching this hit is a tall order. The guitar interpretation and vocals are well done, but can't break away from the original, which has been haunting my head the whole time.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 3 | Music: 2 | Sound: 1

8. John Gorka: "Just Like A Woman"

This country-style song, composed by Bob Dylan and made famous in the version by the Hollies, doesn't really want to meet my taste. In principle, everything is very well done here, too, but unfortunately for me the impulses for a highlight are missing.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 3 | Music: 2 | Sound: 1

9. Lucy Kaplansky: "Ring Of Fire"

Phew, how does this classic, whose version by Johnny Cash was supposed to be the definitive one? Everything is well thought out and realized in this version, and yet I can't get the Cash version out of my head. Apart from this competition, however, I can only give good marks.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 2 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

10. Crocked Still: "We Can Work It Out"

It continues with a Beatles classic. Also difficult for me. Idea, vocals and interpretation with strings are very successful. Despite all the cult around the original, I still find this version likeable and thus successful.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 2 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

11. Kaplansky-Gorka-Gilkyson: "I Am A Child"

This instrumentally compact and tightly woven country-style cover version with the beautifully woven vocals creates a magical depth for me.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 1 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

12. Kris Delmhorst: "Magic"

The band manages to make this evergreen shine in a new light with clear and smart instrumentation, which gives this very good recording a breathtaking character. The listener is brought very close to the vocals.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 2 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

13. Hans Theessink: "Sympathy For The Devil"

In my opinion the best bluesman in Europe plays in a league of his own. With his haunting voice and perfect guitar work, he elevates himself to the highest level of interpretive art with this Stones classic. With him, I always have the impression that he simply has all the time in the world and thus brings a rest to the race of this humanity. This long version of the song "burns" from beginning to end!

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 1 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

14. Meena: "I Was Made For Loving You"

With swing, horns and a South American touch, Meena takes the listener into a driving sound experience and sets a nice ending.

Vocals: 1 | Interpretation: 1 | Music: 1 | Sound: 1

It is the different approaches of the artists, how they adapt the originals to their musical world with the instrumentation, the beat and the speed. There are wonderful sound pearls here. This compilation is very successful in almost all respects and is really fun to listen to. If you are looking for the peak of audiophile playback, you should definitely own this tape edition.

The digital files are recorded at in-akustik for the speed of 38 cm/sec with a STUDER "A 80" and at 19 cm/sec with a TELEFUNKEN "M15" / "M21". RTM supplies the tape material "SM 468". The tape is saturated and thus top driven: +6 dBu, with peaks above. This makes perfect use of the signal-to-noise ratio. Everything comes in a professionally made cardboard slipcase, including an accompanying booklet. The 19 version consists of one metal coil (26.5 cm), the 38 requires two coils, all of which are engraved. In addition, each version comes with a blank spool. A special feature are the leader and tensioning tapes with the standardized color patterns. When unpacking, the yellow tapes can be seen, which shows the user that the reel has been wound in international layer "tail out". Thus, before listening, it must be rewound. At the end of the tapes, a few minutes remain unrecorded. There are two more tracks on the double LPs of the same name than on the tapes, which is due to the limited running time per reel of the correspondingly high-quality tape material.

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