The recording is remarkably transparent. Everything in the chain from the microphone, to the mic preamp to the cutting system is so remarkably transparent that you’ll easily think the duo is performing in your room—if your system is up to it. Ten charming, heartfeld performances by a pro unafraid of and perhaps inspired by the direct-to-disc process. As direct and basic a recording as can be imagined and thoroughly enjoyable too.Sound 10/10 Music 10/10 Michael Fremer
But for the quality of the recording, and the ‘bottle’ to do it without a ‘safety net’ Forgotten Dreams merits 4. One for fans and audiophile buffs, in particular. - And sonically, you simply can’t complain (although there are a couple of ambient gremlins from switching instruments that wouldn’t ‘normally’ happen, or would have been removed in post-production). I’m not sure, vocally, that she’s ever sounded better on record.- LPReview
HIFI News - Monthly Album Choice Ken Kessler Sound 95/100
I managed to steal a couple of hours to drop in this week at AIR studios for the latest recording project from Mike and Françoise Valentine of Chasing the Dragon. Singing star Eleanor McEvoy was playing electric and acoustic guitars with the Steinway and Rhodes piano accompaniments from Damon Butcher, former keyboard player with ‘The Beautiful South’, in the nicely reverberant and spacious acoustic of the main chapel. This will be Chasing the Dragon’s 6th direct cut album." - hificritic.com,
Audiophile musician Eleanor McEvoy is accompanied by pianist Damon Butcher.
Chasing the Dragon have become known as one of the leading producers of audiophile recordings.
This Live Studio Recording was directly cut to vinyl for the LP format.
Many audiophiles all over the world are familiar with Eleanor McEvoy. There is no finer musician with which to work. Eleanor is accompanied by Damon Butcher on grand piano and plays several solo instruments herself, underscoring her beautiful voice, for this direct cut album.
When the opportunity came to work with Eleanor, as you can imagine, Chasing The Dragon jumped at it. It was decided that it would be great to record a 'Direct Cut' album. They have already released 5 albums using this process, where they record straight to the Neumann Lathe at Air Studios.
Eleanor put in a fantastic performance and, remember you cannot stop half way through when cutting live vinyl. She had to be note perfect on both sides. Jake, the mixer, and John, mastering engineer, also brought their 'A game" to the session.
"I managed to steal a couple of hours to drop in this week at AIR studios for the latest recording project from Mike and Françoise Valentine of Chasing the Dragon. Singing star Eleanor McEvoy was playing electric and acoustic guitars with the Steinway and Rhodes piano accompaniments from Damon Butcher, former keyboard player with ‘The Beautiful South’, in the nicely reverberant and spacious acoustic of the main chapel. This will be Chasing the Dragon’s 6th direct cut album." - hificritic.com, May 22, 2018
Features:
• • Directly cut to vinyl
• Gefell/AKG/Flea Valve Microphones, AIR Custom Neve Recording Desk, Neumann VMS 80 Cutting Lathe
•
Musicians:
Eleanor McEvoy
Damon Butcher, piano
Selections:
Side A:
1. The Spanish Word for Heart is Corazon
2. The Meeting of The Waters
3. The Way You Wear Your Troubles
4. Not Quite Love
5. Fragile Wishes
Side B:
6. Gimme Some Wine
7. Slow Hand
8. If You Had A Heart
9. Carolan's Concerto
10. Pink Champagne
