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“When is the last time you listened to an album from beginning to end?” That question is asked on the official website of Classic Album Sundays. For me, personally, the last time I sat down and gave an album my full attention was not within the last six months. The music itself used to be the main event, but phones, laptops, tablets and other attention-grabbing, audio-visual devices have moved music away from the forefront for many people. Hence, the interesting alternative of Classic Album Sundays.
The “slow food” equivalent of listening to music, Classic Album Sundays is a monthly series that began in London in 2011. Now also taking place every month at Good Room in Brooklyn, a Classic Album Sunday is literally an event in which attendees are supposed to do nothing more than sit down and enjoy an interesting full-length album. A wide range of music has been featured within the series, as Carole King’s Tapestry, Prince’s Sign O’ The Times, Radiohead’s Kid A, Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew, and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon have all gotten the CAS treatment. The next Good Room outing for Classic Album Sundays will feature Spirit Of Eden, the 1988 studio release of Talk Talk. Running from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Mar. 13, top-tier equipment by Klipsch, Rega, Audio Note and AudioQuest will be utilized for the listening session. Ron Like Hell, the event’s presenter, spoke to Downtown about how he came to be the face of its New York presentations.
For more info on Classic Album Sundays, click on over here or here.
Where did the idea for Classic Album Sundays come from?
Ron Like Hell: Actively listening to a whole album from beginning to end involves a fair amount of concentration and requires us to set aside some time. We have to commit ourselves to the task, and in our day of the MP3 single download, where we are used to the quick sound bite, this can be quite a feat. We are used to multi-tasking at all times – texting or tweeting while we are out with friends, or talking on the phone while we make dinner. It is rare to focus on one activity and that is what active listening requires
Classic Album Sundays achieves such a task as we provide a world class sound system, thus making such a commitment an exciting listening experience. After a few e-mail and phone chats with Colleen Murphy [creator of CAS], regarding a leader that would enjoy producing the sessions for her from afar, she felt I was fit for the job. I have 20 years of record store experience as both buyer and seller, plus 25 years as a DJ, and over 30 years as a collector of all sorts of music genres.
Why is it only Sunday in which classic albums get such favorable treatment?
R: Sunday is world-renowned for its “timeout” significance. Guests at our sessions are asked to refrain from any chatting, and are politely asked to silence their phones as we enjoy the audiophile presentation of a classic album. It’s a social gathering unlike any other and guests leave feeling completely relaxed and decompressed. Exactly what every Sunday should be about.
How did you wind up partnering with Good Room in Brooklyn?
R: The people at Good Room are GREAT people. They want New Yorkers to find a home where music of all kinds can be experienced in many ways. They believe in the CAS concept 100%, so the support is mutual as CAS embraces all kinds of music too.
How would you describe Classic Album Sundays to someone who hasn’t yet attended one of the events?
R: Prepare yourself just as you would when you read a book. Focus on the music like reading a sentence, listen to the quality of the sound just as you would when discovering an interesting passage in a story, reflect on the lyrics and music as you proceed to the next chapter…Simply listening to a well-conceived production and performance documented on a record and replayed on an audiophile sound system allows anyone to understand how great sound can be, even more so when one hears details in an album they know but have never noticed before.
Overall, have major labels and publishers been supportive of Classic Album Sundays?
R: From not only labels but also audio accessories from our friends at Klipsch Audio. Practically at every session, attendees can enter to win free Klipsch earphones and from time to time win a remaster of the album we are presenting.
What was the first album you ever featured as part of the series?
R: CAS in London launched with presenting The Beatles’ Abbey Road in May 2011. CAS in New York debuted in Brooklyn with Bob Dylan’s Blood On The Tracks in February 2012. My first hand in presenting was for Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures in May 2012.
A lot of people say that music isn’t as great these days as it was in decades past. What is the most recent album to have been featured as part of a Classic Album Sunday?
R: Radiohead’s Kid A and Boards Of Canada’s Music Has The Right To Children are two great examples of jazz, blues-derivative concepts evolving and engaging new generations.
What was the first album you ever bought?
R: Peaches & Herb’s 2 Hot or Blondie’s Parallel Lines. When you are eight years old, dancing is important, especially if the year was 1979.
Did you have a favorite album of 2015?
R: No, but I do enjoy Arca’s Mutant, Deerhunter’s Fading Frontier, FKA Twigs’ M3LLi55X and Lana Del Rey’s Honeymoon. Hopefully 2016 will bring better and more rock choices.
What sort of audio setup do you have at home for listening to music?
R: Anyone reading this may be surprised that I do not own such an audio set-up like the one used at CAS sessions. My home audio system is rather simple, but constructed in a way where I can reposition speakers when enjoying a particular favorite. I am a DJ, a very fussy audio one at that, so I use a brand new stylus on my turntables, constantly replacing them after six months so my records stay near mint and free from worn-out gear.
And when you’re not working, how do you like to spend your free time?
R: I’m a New Yorker. I am always working.
Finally, Ron, any last words for the kids?
R: Stop and take it easy as much as you can. Life is too short so relax, sit back and enjoy great music and art with great company whenever possible. Some of the most memorable experiences in life can be hard to describe in words so be present and enthusiastic.
-by Darren Paltrowitz