We here present some advice on what to listen for to help you separate the best pressings of some of our favorite rock and pop records from those that are merely good.
On side two listen for the sibilance on Bonnie’s voice on Too Soon to Tell.
Some copies have gritty, spitty sibilance on her voice, while others keep the spit well under control, allowing much more of the silky quality of her vocal to be heard.
Sibilance is a great test for pressings that you may be comparing for sound quality. Sibilant pressings tend to be crudely mastered and that crude quality is sure to show up in other areas of the recording.
(Half-Speed mastered pressings are almost always spitty and should be avoided, for sibilance problems as well as their many other shortcomings we have documented in detail on this blog.)
Also, pay special attention to how silky the cymbal crashes can be on the better copies.
We also recommend that you listen for how all the elements of the recording are clearly laid out and audible, never forced or hyped in any way. The sound can be surprisingly 3-D for a modern recording.
Side One
Nick of Time
Thing Called Love
Love Letter
Cry on My Shoulder
Real Man
Nobody’s Girl
Side Two
Have a Heart
Too Soon to Tell
I Will Not Be Denied
I Ain’t Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again
The Road’s My Middle Name
AMG Review
Producer Don Was used Raitt’s classic early-’70s records as a blueprint, choosing to update the sound with a smooth, professional production and a batch of excellent contemporary songs. In this context, Raitt flourishes; she never rocks too hard, but there is grit to her singing and playing, even when the surfaces are clean and inviting. And while she only has two original songs here, Nick of Time plays like autobiography, which is a testament to the power of the songs, performances, and productions.
It was a great comeback album that made for a great story, but the record never would have been a blockbuster success if it wasn’t for the music, which is among the finest Raitt ever made. She must have realized this, since Nick of Time served as the blueprint for the majority of her ’90s albums.
Further Reading