Is there a "must have" list of Robert Ludwig mastered LP's?

I've heard Led Zeppelin II and The Band's The Band mentioned many times. But are there any others that stand out against the other versions?

 

A few others that come to mind quickly are Stage Fright by The Band, Gaucho by Steely Dan, and The Nightfly by Donald Fagen. I'm sure there are many, many others.

 

i auditioned Paul Butterfield Blues Band's Keep on Moving (Elektra, 1969) and Mountain's Nantucket Sleighride (Windfall/Coumbia, 1970) over the weekend. (the latter was a sterling-mastered album. 'LH/RL'.) both were among the best 'RL's i've ever heard, but sadly, i purchased neither because they were just a notch below my lowest acceptable grade. two shining examples of early bob ludwig magic. CD quality, but better!

 

First Green label Hendrix / Band of Gypsys, said to have used original master mixdown tapes.

 

.38 Special's "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys" and "Special Forces" mastered by Bob Ludwig sound awesome.

 

Brewer & Shipley's 'Tarkio'

 

"Love Over Gold" by Dire Straits

 

Bob did good with Brothers in Arms too. Although you get the slightly shorter version of some songs because it's the LP.

 

Atlanta Rhythm Section Third Annual Pipe Dream (includes "Doraville")

Fleetwood Mac's Greatest Hits (1971 -- the Peter Green years)

Sly & The Family Stone There's A Riot Goin' On

Steely Dan Greatest Hits

There's so many, but those are just a few that immediately came to mind.

 

Well, AVALON by Roxy Music tops by Bob Ludwig list.

 

I always loved to see 'Mastered by Robert Ludwig at Masterdisk' on any LP sleeve.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same about 'Mastered by Robert Ludwig at Gateway Mastering'

JG

 

He did some great work at Sterling also.

 

The Police "SYNCHRONICITY"

One side of my "Rumours" LP also

 

Unfortunately I agree.

A few others off the top of my head:

Hendrix In The West
Atlanta Rhythm Section - Champagne Jam
Led Zep - Houses Of the Holy
Van Morrison - His Band & Street Choir

 

Another...AC/DC - Back In Black

 

A lot of my favorites have already been mentioned.

Great choices so far everyone!

Here's my votes.

Edgar Winter Group-They Only Come Out At Night, Orange label Epic, Sterling RL in the dead wax

ZZ Top-Fandango, original London pressings with Sterling RL in the dead wax

Van Morrison-His Band and the Street Choir, Green label WB, Sterling RL in the dead wax

 

I just noticed Robert Ludwig mastered both the US and UK LP's of Houses of the Holy. Did he use the same tape or different ones? The UK one does sound better.

 

Richard (Dickey) Betts Highway Call Sterling RL in the deadwax. Great sound.

 

Rush - Moving Pictures, Exit ... Stage Left and Signals (he's credited in the liner notes of Grace Under Pressure, but I've never seen a copy with RL in the deadwax).

Madonna - Like A Virgin (Better than the CD editions, IMHO)

I agree with the above folks who recommend Steely Dan's Gaucho.

 

I've always loved this LP, but any copy I've ever had (even my current mint "Promo" copy) sounds a bit muffled and rolled-off in the high end, missing that last bit of sparkle.

John K.

 

Interesting. My liner notes state Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, NY, but, as I noted in my earlier post, Sterling RL is in the deadwax.

What's in your deadwax?

 

Actually, the first pressings of this album were on the pre-1972 yellow label design, with the "EPIC" inside an oval strobe - but yeah, that one also had Mr. Ludwig's magic.

Of course, no RL-mastered LP collection could be complete without Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music . . .

 

Yep, it's true. Says it's mastered by him at Sterling. Wonder what he thought of that project? It would be interesting to hear his comments.

Cheers,
Chris

 

Zappa's Sheik Yerbouti.

 

Same thing: Sterling RL.

I've always wondered if perhaps the album in in reverse absolute polarity--IME it results in the same kind of muffling of the sound--but have never taken the time to reverse speaker leads when playing the LP to find out.

John K.