Two live shows. Two great audiophile conversations.

Welcome back, guys.

This week I got to spin two outstanding releases from the Blues Masters at the Crossroads Concert Series: Tab Benoit Live and Tony Joe White Live.

These legendary performances were recorded live at the Blue Heaven Studios concert venue in Salina, Kansas. Both albums were mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab and pressed on 180 gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, part of Acoustic Sounds in Salina.

The Tab Benoit performance was recorded in October 2002. His guitar has real presence, bite and texture while the rhythm section sounds powerful and natural. The record has excellent dynamics, strong bass and a wonderfully open sound that allows the performance to breathe.

Tony Joe White Live was recorded in October 2003 and has a different but equally compelling character. His unmistakable voice sounds rich, deep and incredibly lifelike while the music carries that swampy atmosphere for which he was so well known.

I know saying it sounds like the musicians are in the room is one of the oldest audiophile clichés around. But with these two live recordings, it really is true.

Close your eyes, turn up the volume and both performances have that wonderful ability to make the walls disappear and bring the atmosphere of the venue into your listening room. What a joy these records are.