There's something very zen about watching Rodger Waters create the Dark Side of the Moon sonic theme, a theme that eventually becomes such a classic musical entity.
The first time I ever listened to Dark Side seriously - and REALLY listened - was when I bet my buddy 'crazy Jeff' that the sound from records wasn't as good as the sound from CDs. He set up the CD first (under the requisite low-level, multi-coloured lights, with the requisite beverage of the evening) and played it through, then set up the vinyl version and played the album over again. I couldn't believe the depth, separation, immersion and vividness you get with a decent analog recording and a decent audio set-up. I felt like I could feel where each of the players was standing when the recording was done. As a musician who was used to listening to/for good sound from a real instrument but not expecting too much from a recording, it was definitely an ear-opening experience. It's part of the reason "ponying up the dough" for decent speakers to really enjoy and appreciate good sound - be it from music, soundtracks or soundscapes - suddenly becomes more than reasonable: it becomes necessary.
I wax rhapsodic - sorry. It's getting late but I feel the need to watch Pompeii again. Thanks, Jason.
- Chris