{"product_id":"crying-laughing-loving-lying-50th-anniversary-half-speed-master","title":"Crying Laughing Loving Lying: 50th Anniversary Half-Speed Master","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHalf-speed mastering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Precision half-speed cutting by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering improves groove accuracy and preserves subtle transient detail for a clearer stereo image.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal stereo tapes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut from the original stereo tapes to retain the album's authentic tonal balance and dynamics as intended in 1972.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassic song selection:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes the original versions of It Must Be Love and My Song, offering historically important recordings that influenced later artists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnniversary edition:\u003c\/strong\u003e The 50th anniversary presentation highlights the album's legacy and offers collectors a purpose-built reissue of a formative Labi Siffre record.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImproved high-frequency response:\u003c\/strong\u003e The half-speed technique yields a natural treble extension that enhances acoustic detail and vocal clarity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCasual 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMastering by Barry Grint yields a noticeably detailed stereo image and natural high-frequency extension.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUses the original stereo tapes, preserving authentic tonal character and dynamic range from the 1972 sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContains landmark tracks, including the original It Must Be Love and the source of the My Song sample.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe audible benefits of half-speed mastering are most apparent on high-quality turntables and speakers, so improvements may be muted on basic setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArtist\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLabi Siffre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrying Laughing Loving Lying: 50th Anniversary\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMastering\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHalf-speed mastering by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSource tapes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOriginal stereo tapes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRelease era\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOriginal recordings issued 1972; 50th anniversary edition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNotable tracks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIt Must Be Love; My Song; Crying Laughing Loving Lying\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is half-speed mastering?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHalf-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these cuts from the original tapes?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, this edition was cut from the original stereo tapes to preserve the album's authentic sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill I hear a difference on any turntable?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe benefits are most noticeable on well-maintained turntables and quality playback systems; basic setups may show smaller audible gains.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Demon\/Edsel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48252758294747,"sku":"B0B8J6TMR6","price":34.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/81FtiuT4WVL._SL1024.jpg?v=1778234286","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/crying-laughing-loving-lying-50th-anniversary-half-speed-master","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}