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Bob Lefsetz Podcast Interview With Steven Wilson

Michael Fremer  |  Feb 18, 2021

“Steven Wilson has a new solo album, "The Future Bites." We discuss this as well as his work with Porcupine Tree but even if you're not a fan of his music, even if you've never heard of him, you need to listen to hear Wilson's stories of remixing King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Chic….”

Of course most analogPlanet readers have heard of Steven Wilson. Probably more than know who Bob Lefsetz is. BL writes a newsletter read by most everyone on the planet in the music business and by many others as well. It’s free and you might subscribe. It's free and you are guaranteed to be entertained and enlightened by his perspective whether or not you always agree with him. He’s a “Boomer” with an audiophile’s perspective though he’s always on the cutting edge of tech and will occasionally disparage our little vinyl world. But that’s ok!

This podcast should be entertaining. What else have you got to do with your lockdown time? I know: listen to records. Well I’m taking a break to listen to this episode especially:

Amazon Bob Lefsetz podcast

COMMENTS
mraudioguru's picture
Submitted by mraudioguru on Thu, 2021-02-18 13:30

...for the link to subscribe. I look forward to reading his newsletter.

I read in his archives, the article on the 50th Anniversary of "Tapestry". Very well done! Great article!

orthobiz's picture
Submitted by orthobiz on Thu, 2021-02-18 15:32

I find his inclusion of personal details unique. As a lefty liberal, I am never offended by his perspectives. His newsletter is great.

Paul

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Thu, 2021-02-18 17:02
I'm never offended when he writes about hi-fi in the past tense and considers vinyl fans anachronistic! Mostly because he's wrong and I let him know! (Nicely).
thomoz's picture
Submitted by thomoz on Fri, 2021-02-19 13:25

Curious that Bob would interview Mr Wilson only to put his foot in his mouth that he hasn't heard one of the two or three most recognizable records in the Porcupine Tree catalog. Do your damn research! Otherwise you come across as a dummy, a-la Larry King (who in an interview asked why/if "Seinfeld" was cancelled, eliciting scoffs from a completely horrified Jerry).

RinziRadio's picture
Submitted by RinziRadio on Sat, 2021-02-20 14:00

Thanks so much for posting this. I am a huge Steven Wilson fan, and never would have found this otherwise. So much interesting stuff to unpack. I have many of his stereo remixes because I am an avid King Crimson and Jethro Tull fan (I don't bother with surround), and I find them to be excellent. I think his point about digital being in a different league today even to what it was five years ago is a valid one. I am a die-hard analog guy, BUT I do own quite a few records that are mastered from digital and sound very good indeed (in the reissue realm, the Stones Mono box, and the Roy Orbison MGM years box, for starters) Recently I did my own comparison between different pressings of "In the Court of the Crimson King". The early British pressings I have (Pink Rim Island and Polydor) definitely sounded the most organic and would be my general go-to. However, the earlier Robert Fripp-approved vinyl reissue sounds really, really good, preserving much of the analog feel of those early pressings. Initially I wasn't so keen on the Steven Wilson master (from some years ago - he has recently revisited this for the new ITCKC 50th anniversary package, and I do not have this). Whilst I enjoyed being able to hear many elements of the mix more clearly (for reasons very well explained by Wilson in the interview) I felt it lacked magic. But then I tried turning the volume up and it immediately improved considerably. Now I am going to get his remix of Aqualung to compare with the recent Analogue Productions UHQR release -- I had no idea there had been a technical problem with the original mastering reel-to-reel deck that has affected all subsequent analog remastering, so will be most interested to listen to both.

OldschoolE's picture
Submitted by OldschoolE on Mon, 2021-02-22 11:18

I will when I have the chance. I happen to like Porcupine tree and have several of their CDs. They are on my list of great prog bands.
Steve Wilson happens to be a vinyl fan as well and has quite the collection.
I also am a fan of Jethro Tull and far prefer the vinyl of CD catalog! (I used to have the CD versions and got rid of them when I got the original vinyl copies. I'm not one for Jethro Tull's real late stuff, but everything before that is brilliant. I prefer the original pressings, but did not know about the technical trouble with the Aqualung recordings. I will now look into Steve Wilsons mix on vinyl. I don't listen to that LP much though as I am quite bored with it, perhaps the tech issues are part of the problem there.
Ian Anderson is on the list of one of the worlds best flutists according to professional artists in both classical and pop. Sadly, Ian is very ill and a sad day is going to come.

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