Two stunning LPs
"MINe 109" wrote in message
...
In article
,
Jenn wrote:
In article ,
"Harry Lavo" wrote:
"Jenn" wrote in message
...
Yesterday in L.A. I picked up two LPs that are a revelation to me. I
had heard both of them at HE2006 and was stunned by the quality of
the
sound (and the greatness of the performances), but I didn't know how
they would do in my more modest system at home. Upon playing them
this
morning, I found myself listening in open-mouthed wonder.
Joan Baez: In Concert. Cisco/Vanguard Records. A GREAT performance
with a "you are at the performance site" perspective that is just
amazing. Joan's Martin guitar has a tangible quality on this
recording
like no other I've ever heard, especially the notes played on the D
and
A strings. Her voice, especially in her upper range, has on this
recording the crystal clear, dead on intonation that she is known
for.
Ella Fitzgerald: Let No Man Write my Epitaph. Classic?Verve Records
The perspective here is "Ella is in your room". The finesse of her
voice is in full display here. The piano is presented well, but on
Ella's first note, I let out a curse word, which is quite rare for
me!
There is an incredible reality about her voice on this record.
Actually, incredible is the wrong word; it is CREDIBLE. It sounds
like
a voice, as opposed to the vast majority of other recordings.
I'm very happy to own these amazing recordings of superlative
performances. For those of you who listen only to CD, I hope that
those
versions are as good. If so, I urge you to seek them out.
Jenn-
I have the original Vanguard Baez, and the quality is there on the
original
recording. This was one of Vanguard's best, but in general they did
well
by
Baez.
I don't have the Ella, but I do have her "songbooks" and also her two
duo
records with Joe Pass. These latter have the same quality you speak
of....you may wish to look them up as well...I believe they have been
reissed.
Harry
Thanks, Harry.
The Ella was released on PolyGram Jazz as "The Intimate Ella." Sounds
great on the Grados. "Black Coffee" is also on "Shadowland" by kd lang,
another good recording.
I've seen the Vanguard countless times in used racks, but I can't
remember if I've taken the chance.
'Chance' is also my lp filing system. :-)
You too??
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