The sound files available in this ZIP archive are transcriptions of a near-mint LP copy of Robert Hunter's Jack O'Roses, using high quality analog equipment. They are FLAC files, and so you will need a FLAC decoder to make WAV files, or audio software that can play FLAC files directly. FLAC is a lossless compression format that decompresses to produce CD-quality WAV files. MP3 files, by contrast, preserve a decent amount of the sound in a recording, but lose the low-level detail that gives it realism. The difference is plain even on moderately priced equipment. Further information on FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) and free downloads of the FLAC coding/decoding software can be found on the Sourceforge FLAC web site.

The analog rig used to extract the sound from the grooves is near state-of-the-art, producing almost none of the tracking distortion or surface noise normally associated with LPs. The LP used for this transcription had only been played once previously, to make a cassette copy years ago. Even so, there is some slight pressing noise in the first seconds of the first track, and minor tracking distortion during loud passages in the last, short tracks on each side of the LP (tracks 5 and 8). The tracking distortion is much less noticeable than on another, nearly pristine LP copy that had also been lent to me for transcription. 

Equipment used for A/D conversion: Lyra Helikon phono cartridge, Linn LP12/Lingo turntable, Linn Ittok tonearm, Audioquest LeoPard tonearm cable, PS Audio PS2 preamplifier, Kimber PBJ interconnect, M-Audio Audiophile USB A/D converter. The mildest possible declicking was used to eliminate some of the more obvious ticks and pops. Other than that, there has been no noise reduction.

The following information is from The Annotated Robert Hunter Discography:

JACK O' ROSES (1980)

Dark Star Records: DSLP8001

Artwork: Trevor Wright; photograph: Roy Wilbraham

"Solo--Acoustic"

Tracks:
(All lyrics and music by Hunter except where noted)

   1. "Box of Rain": m: Lesh [says Garcia on record label]
   2. "Reuben and Cerise": m: Garcia [says Lesh on record label]
   3. "Talkin' Money Tree"
   4. "Friend of the Devil": m: Garcia & Dawson
   5. "Delia DeLyon and Stagger Lee": melody trad.
   6. "Lady of Carlisle": trad. arr. Hunter
   7. "Book of Daniel": m: Freiberg
   8. "Terrapin": m: Garcia
          * a- "Lady With a Fan"
          * b- "Terrapin Station"
          * c- "Ivory Wheels/Rosewood Track"
          * d- "Jack O'Roses" 
   9. "Prodigal Town" 

