Michael Fremer

Well after this SACD review had been posted, the double 180g LP arrived. It takes the sound up a significant number of notches, producing greater imaging and staging three dimensionality. The hall reflection is more distinct, King's voice projects further forward and the sometimes rough vocal textures are enhanced in a way that makes it sound more "live.". The string section sounds richer and fuller when it's added and the "you are there" sensation is greatly enhanced overall. If you've not picked this up on SACD, I'd say it's worth spending the extra to get it on LP. A great sounding time capsule for sure!

Underrated and anonymously well-exposed, the Los Angeles session guitarist Howard Roberts played for everyone from Frank, to Elvis, the Beach Boys, the Jackson 5, the Monkees and Dean Martin, to name but a few. That's Howard out front on "The Twilight Zone" theme song, among many others. The guy got around.

The Cuban born, classically trained jazz pianist Elio Villafranca plays in a lyrical, yet not quite florid style that moves from Latin style fiery and dramatic one moment to deeply introspective and abstract the next.

While American soul music— northern urban and southern rural—and UK-via-the-Caribbean-derived Ska course through the veins of the fourth Elvis Costello and the Attractions album,  the flesh thankfully remains white limey.