Joni Mitchell – Court And Spark

Very solid indeed.

Bernie's recent remaster is very nice too but this one is a bit less sibilant and that might make it better for some. This has Joni more prominent too. Good soundstage, great bass. Yes its just a tad rolled off up top and not as airy as the Bernie cut but its suprisingly good and arguably a higher quality pressing (a tiny bit quieter vinyl here even allowing for a non fill free Bernie copy which took me 4 frustration filled attempts to finally land).

I also like the richer deeper hue of the sandy/tan colour jacket even if it misses out on the embossing of the Bernie.

Both are great and its hard to pick a winner so id say go for this one if Joni's vocal is a priority. Go for the Bernie if you want to hear the players envelop you more and have a system that completely copes with hints of vocal sibilance.

It’s an alright pressing, but not as good as the 2023 remaster. I find this pressing a bit muddy, with muffled vocals and a lack of detail. My copy is also warped which doesn’t help.

I did an A/B compare of this copy vs. my Bellman remaster (embossed cover). The Bellman remaster has a smoother tonal quality to it. The highs aren't rolled off, but the LP just has a warmer sound overall. To my ears, this Optimal copy is a bit brittle in the higher s of the piano, in the upper of Joni's voice, and in the cymbals. I'd describe it as super, super crisp but it's still a nice sounding album for sure, and it comes down to what you prefer tonally. The vinyl was nothing to write home about for either pressing I own. Both had some minor ticks here and there overall, which is annoying in the delicate ages of the LP's.

Excellent pressing, extremely quiet and fantastic sonics as you'd expect from Bernie Grundman!

Really good pressing. Very quiet vinyl. Very happy with my copy.

A good pressing, strangely replacing the Chris Bellman cut for no apparent reason. I don't have that version, but this HL cut is pretty good, although the centrepiece track "Down To You" is very very low in volume in comparison to the rest of the album, which is a shame as its the best track here

My first copy was covered in spiderweb hairlines which caused a lot of crackles and noise. Luckily I have a good record shop and they swapped on the spot. The second copy is perfect! God this record sounds amazing!! Like Joni is playing in the living room!

This is an excellent reissue...I was expecting the earlier 2009 Rhino Chris Bellman lacquer but was pleasantly surprised by this Euro cut. It's definitely cleaner and firmer low end than my 70s copy...Joni's voice is front and center and the fullness is welcome. Quiet pressing too.

Like others have said this is a quality pressing. Dynamic, clear / open, and clean - the trifecta. Much better than my 1974 Asylum Records ‎– 7ES 1001 copy. This will be the one that I play.

This is a very quiet and well pressed re-issue. Last night I played side A and then played an older copy of Court and Spark side A. The older copy was more detailed, louder, had greater instrument separation. The music was far more alive and involved. Overall superior in every way.