SPIRAL CLASSICS SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2010 CATALOGUE of classical vinyl records was issued on 31st August 2010.

I've been doing a major check of stock over the summer, so I've reduced far more prices than usual - well over 600 items.

I sold so many records over the summer that my catalogue was getting too small. So I've listed a lot more record than I do usually - well over 500 items.

SPECIAL ITEMS NEWLY LISTED

I was delighted to receive another box of exceptional rarities. Many are records I've never seen before & doubt if I'll see again. For example Tibor Bisztriczky, some very rare Accardo, Bobesco, Andre Levy.

Not everything I list is so expensive of course, for example, there's a lovely selection of Gilel's 1980s Beethoven Sonatas

OTHER NEWS & COMMENTS

A couple of people have pointed out to me that I'm using the word "rare" rather too often. So as I newly list records, I'm describing them as "rare" less often. "Rare" in a newly listed record means that it's very hard to find. "Quite rare" is hard to find, but not very hard to find. I've started using the word "scarce" to describe records that I've only seen a few copies of over the years. And "quite scarce" records I've seen a few more copies of than "scarce" ones!

I've been thinking a lot about Decca test pressings, as I have a large collection of them from Christopher Raeburn. Most of the stereo test pressings are labelled CS**** rather than SXL****. I've asked other people who worked for Decca in the 1950s & 1960s why this is so - after all the Producer must have had the first test pressings, to confirm that he was happy with the pressing, before it went into production. I've been told that the first test pressings were labelled CS rather than SXL as the first commercial pressings would be shipped to the USA - by sea, so they'd be some weeks getting there.

I know there's a lot of controversy about the sound quality of English pressed London issues (CS****) versus SXL****. Many of my customers say they prefer the sound of SXLs to CSs. Which is fascinating as some of the people who worked for Decca have said that there was no difference in the pressings. I have read conjecture that American music lovers weren't so careful with their LPs as their English counterparts (written by an American I must add), so that SXLs are generally in better condition that CSs, therefor sound better. If that is so, these CS test pressings - played once or sometimes unplayed - are a valuable resource to check that out. Many of the test pressings I have are only one side of the eventual LP, so they are very reasonably priced. I've not done any comparative listening myself. All I can say is that all the test pressings I've listened to, whether CS or SXL, sound wonderful to me!

You can view or download the catalogue from the catalogue page.

Or you can use the record code list which is organised by record code (eg SXL, SAX) for the benefit of customers who prefer this.

OTHER LISTS

I updated my Book list on 31st August 2010 and added more books and reduced some prices.

I updated my Spoken Word list on 31st August 2010 and added more LPs.

And I updated my Brass and Military Bands list on 28th June 2010

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