7 Pressings, 2 Legends, 1 Clear Winner – Lightfoot & Van Morrison 45 RPM Shootout

THE TWO EXACT ANALOGUE PRODUCTIONS EDITIONS: Gordon Lightfoot – Sundown https://shop.michael45.com/produkt/go... Van Morrison – His Band and the Street Choir https://shop.michael45.com/produkt/va... Seven pressings, two landmark albums and two clear preferences. This is a direct listening comparison, not a catalogue summary: I explain what changes in the voice, soundstage, instrumental separation and emotional impact when these Analogue Productions 45 RPM editions face strong vintage competition. For Gordon Lightfoot’s 1974 Sundown, I compare the new 45 RPM double LP with the 1979 Mobile Fidelity edition and a German promotional first pressing. The Analogue Productions cut wins for me because Lightfoot’s voice sounds more present and the acoustic instruments have greater body and space. Van Morrison’s 1970 His Band and the Street Choir is compared with a UK second pressing plus German first and second pressings. Here the new edition opens the stage, separates the horns and rhythm section and lets Morrison’s phrasing come through with unusual clarity. The official production note identifies the source as a one-off EQ tape copy, so I avoid claiming that both reissues share an identical tape chain. Which matters more in a reissue: the closest possible vocal presence, the widest soundstage or the character of an original pressing? Tell me in the comments. CHAPTERS 00:00 Two albums and seven pressings 01:30 Gordon Lightfoot – Sundown AP 45 02:45 MoFi and German promo comparison 04:08 Why the AP cut wins for Michael 05:24 Four sides, quiet vinyl and late-night listening 06:24 Van Morrison – His Band and the Street Choir 07:01 Three vintage pressings compared 08:11 AP soundstage and separation 09:05 Van Morrison’s voice and phrasing 10:08 Packaging, context and verdict 10:41 Final comparison 11:18 What is coming next Get new arrivals and limited pressings first — join my free newsletter: https://shop.michael45.com/newsletter... Explore new audiophile reissues: https://shop.michael45.com/ Discover original and vintage pressings at The Vinyl Room: https://shop-obc.michael45.com/ Subscribe to 45 RPM Audiophile for pressing comparisons, record recommendations and the stories behind the music:    / @michael45rpm   Disclosure: The Michael45 shop links above lead to my own shops. Availability may change. #GordonLightfoot #VanMorrison #AudiophileVinyl