Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Category: Stereo Demonstration Records

Ken Nordine
Zeroto180

‘Sounds in Space’: Ken Nordine Revels in Stereo’s Wonder

This early stereo demonstration record by the fine folks at RCA Victor features spoken word parts by Ken Nordine (the maestro of “word jazz” – check out this ‘kinetic type’ animation clip for “Green” from Nordine’s Colors album) as between-song stereo banter.  The recordings, which feature mainly orchestral works (pop,

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"Leopard Skin Phones"
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“Leopard Skin Phones”: Stereo Demonstration Pop Art

With the aid of producer, Bob Dorough (“Schoolhouse Rock”), Spanky & Our Gang put together an ambitious song cycle – 1969’s Without Rhyme or Reason – where all the songs are interlinked for continuous sound from start to finish. Album opener “Leopard Skin Phones” also ended up as the B-side

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"Frequency Response Test"
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Frequency Response Test – A Public Service from Zero to 180

I would love to know just how many hi-fi enthusiasts back in vinyl’s heyday relied on stereo demonstration recordings to test the performance caliber of their stereo sound system. I get the sense that National Lampoon’s Ed Subitzky found this whole business of scrutinizing the quality of your stereo output

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"Midnight Cowboy"
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Cincinnati: Hard Rock Capital of the World?

I have an album of repackaged material from the Buddah label — a compilation entitled Heavy Mix — that is one of the odder releases from everyone’s favorite reissue label, Pickwick.  I love that the cover art has a cement theme: Even more intriguing than the kitschy cover concept is

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