Article: The Best Version Of ... Pharoah Sanders - Karma

[Josh Mound]

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[The Computer Audiophile]

Thanks so much for this one @JoshM. To be honest, I'd never listened to this album and knew almost nothing about Pharoah Sanders, before reading this. I'm certainly listening to Karma right now though!

 

I love that he didn't alter his music to fit on to a single side of an LP. Fade it out and flip it over! This, in contrast to some artists creating shorter songs to make more money on streaming services, is refreshing. 

 

So many other nuggets in this article, I'm re-reading it (more than once).

[Jud]

What a fine article.  We're lucky to have you here.

 

Coincidentally, I was just in the Bay Area visiting a friend (drummer, mainly hobby but has had a pro gig or two) who told me a funny story that very tangentially involves Pharoah Sanders. He was at a jeweler's in Mendocino looking for an engagement ring when he heard Pharoah Sanders being played over the store system. He said to the owner, "Pharoah Sanders, nice." The owner replies, surprised and appreciative, "I've been playing this music in here for twenty years, and this is the first time someone recognized Pharoah Sanders!" So they have a nice chat, and besides that, it's where my friend and his now wife picked out her engagement ring.

 

Then he leaves the store to rejoin another couple they were in Mendocino with, and my friend sets up the joke perfectly. The other couple walks into the jewelry store, the husband turns to the wife and says "Hey - is this Pharoah Sanders?"

[bbosler]

I know this site is all about digital, but it would be interesting to see how the dynamic range and frequency response compares to the original 1969 analog release... available on vinyl, 8 track, and cassette 😊

 

keep up the good work.. appreciate all your efforts

[Josh Mound]

1 hour ago, bbosler said:

I know this site is all about digital, but it would be interesting to see how the dynamic range and frequency response compares to the original 1969 analog release... available on vinyl, 8 track, and cassette 😊

 

keep up the good work.. appreciate all your efforts

 

I'm going to put up a post on Club TBVO about that, along with some sound clips. The short answer is that I found two vinyl transfers, but despite supposedly being the same pressing, they had quite different EQ from each other. The two CDs' dynamics are very similar to the vinyl, though.

[firedog]

Thanks for this one Josh. Hadn't thought about or listened to that album for years. It's a pretty good one. Nice to re-acquaint. 

[Josh Mound]

I just posted an "Appendix" for this TBVO in my Club TBVO blog:

 

 

It includes some comparisons between the vinyl and the CDs, as well as sound clips!

[PYP]

Truly wonderful review of this unique musical experience.  I remember first hearing it and was literally frozen in place.  As much as I loved Coltrane's My Favorite Things (and still do), this album became a favorite and one I listened to at times when the world seemed to be falling apart.   

[Josh Mound]

As a reminder, please head on over to Club TBVO to see how the vinyl releases stack up and download some audio samples from both CD versions and the original vinyl. 

 

I'm also excited to say that I'll be interviewing the great Lonnie Liston Smith soon. I'll update this TBVO with his memories after the interview, and I'll likely post the full interview, too. Beyond his playing with Sanders, Miles Davis, and other legends, Smith's solo work is amazing if you like "spiritual jazz" or jazz-funk. In particular, I'd recommend checking out his album 1974 Expansions.

[Josh Mound]

This article has been updated with quotes from my interview with Lonnie Liston Smith (plus one quote I came across in another interview with him). The rest of my interview with Smith will be published as a stand-alone interview.