Jump to content

Remastering quality (for vintage jazz fans)


Qhwoeprktiyns

Here's an example to illustrate the importance of remastering quality.

 

The track is "Stepping into Swing Society" by Duke Ellington, recorded on January 13, 1938. I love the title !

 

Here's what Eddie Lambert has to say about this track (in "Duke Ellington: A Listener's Guide" - a little publicity for this great book:https://www.amazon.com/Duke-Ellington-Listeners-Guide-Studies/dp/0810831619 ) :

 

"By early 1938, the swing era was well under way. and Ellington indicates his intentions at his first recording session of that year in Steppin' Into Swing Society. This is another riff piece, in the idiom of the time in some respects and yet utterly removed from it if one thinks of the vulgar "flag wavers" then in vogue. The delicate voicings and subtle variations on the basic riff are a delightful study in the use of the big band as a chamber ensemble. Duke's piano punctuations are sparse but effective, and there are brief, functional solos from Hodges's soprano and Carney's baritone."


The first example is a remastering by Robert Parker (see here: http://www.robertparkerjazz.com/)

 

https://storage.cloud.google.com/cloudplayer/samples/Stepping%20Into%20Swing%20Society/Parker.flac

 

The second example is from the "Chronological Classics" series (see here: https://www.discogs.com/Duke-Ellington-And-His-Orchestra-1938/release/6352512)

 

https://storage.cloud.google.com/cloudplayer/samples/Stepping%20Into%20Swing%20Society/Chronological.flac

 

And lastly, the same track from the Mosaic Record Box Set "The Complete 1932–1940 Brunswick, Columbia and Master Recordings of Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra"  (https://www.discogs.com/Duke-Ellington-And-His-Famous-Orchestra-The-Complete-1932-1940-Brunswick-Columbia-And-Master-Recordi/release/10478365)

 

https://storage.cloud.google.com/cloudplayer/samples/Stepping%20Into%20Swing%20Society/Mosaic.flac

 

If you cannot hear the difference, then you need to consult a doctor and/or upgrade your system :)

 

My personal preference goes to the Mosaic version, which I find more "natural", with instruments sounding "real". 

0 Comments


Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.




×
×
  • Create New...