Crying Laughing Loving Lying: 50th Anniversary Half-Speed Master

In this review of Crying Laughing Loving Lying: 50th Anniversary - Half-Speed Master, the bottom line is clear: collectors and listeners who value warm, detailed vinyl mastering will find this edition especially rewarding. Labi Siffre's 1972 album is presented here with a precision half-speed mastering that enhances transient detail and high frequency response, making signature tracks like It Must Be Love and My Song sound more present and alive. This review focuses on the listening experience, build of the record edition, and how the mastering choice affects the original stereo tapes.

Key Features

• Half-speed mastering: Precision half-speed cutting by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering improves groove accuracy and preserves subtle transient detail for a clearer stereo image.
• Original stereo tapes: Cut from the original stereo tapes to retain the album's authentic tonal balance and dynamics as intended in 1972.
• Classic song selection: Includes the original versions of It Must Be Love and My Song, offering historically important recordings that influenced later artists.
• Anniversary edition: The 50th anniversary presentation highlights the album's legacy and offers collectors a purpose-built reissue of a formative Labi Siffre record.
• Improved high-frequency response: The half-speed technique yields a natural treble extension that enhances acoustic detail and vocal clarity.

Who It's For

This edition is aimed at vinyl collectors, fans of 1970s singer-songwriter recordings, and listeners who appreciate high-quality mastering methods; the half-speed cut will particularly please those who play records on well-calibrated turntables and want sonic nuance. It is also a good choice for those who follow the lineage of songs later covered by mainstream artists and want to own the original performances.

Casual listeners who prioritize streaming convenience or who have minimal vinyl playback equipment may find less practical benefit, because the mastering improvements are most noticeable on attentive playback systems and in quiet listening environments.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Mastering by Barry Grint yields a noticeably detailed stereo image and natural high-frequency extension.
• Uses the original stereo tapes, preserving authentic tonal character and dynamic range from the 1972 sessions.
• Contains landmark tracks, including the original It Must Be Love and the source of the My Song sample.

Cons

• The audible benefits of half-speed mastering are most apparent on high-quality turntables and speakers, so improvements may be muted on basic setups.

Specifications

Artist	Labi Siffre
Title	Crying Laughing Loving Lying: 50th Anniversary
Mastering	Half-speed mastering by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering
Source tapes	Original stereo tapes
Release era	Original recordings issued 1972; 50th anniversary edition
Notable tracks	It Must Be Love; My Song; Crying Laughing Loving Lying

Our Verdict

This half-speed anniversary edition is recommended for collectors and serious listeners who want a faithful, sonically refined presentation of Labi Siffre's third album; the combination of original stereo tapes and expert half-speed cutting delivers tangible improvements in clarity and presence, making it a worthwhile purchase for those who value archival care and detailed vinyl sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is half-speed mastering?
Half-speed mastering is a vinyl cutting technique where the master lacquer is cut at half the original speed to improve groove accuracy and high-frequency detail.

Are these cuts from the original tapes?
Yes, this edition was cut from the original stereo tapes to preserve the album's authentic sound.

Will I hear a difference on any turntable?
The benefits are most noticeable on well-maintained turntables and quality playback systems; basic setups may show smaller audible gains.