|
|
Post by Martin on Sept 8, 2015 12:45:37 GMT
I'd like to harvest the collective wisdom of the group for some recommendations. Here's the situation: I'm coming up for a significant birthday milestone in October and I know that my nearest and dearest are going to ask what I'd like as a gift. I can't possibly expect them to wade into the murky world of acquiring a valuable first pressing for me - they wouldn't know what to look for and how to judge it (plus they might be a little shocked at the price for a single record!). So I'm considering the idea of asking for a nice vinyl re-issue box set.
I've got two in mind, so I'm interested in opinions of these (pressing, mastering and musical quality) and potential suggestions for alternative box set options. The two I'm considering are:
1). John Coltrane - The Heavyweight Champion: it's a complete set of Atlantic recordings and would fit well with my current collection because I don't actually own that much Coltrane and also the prices for original first (and even second) pressings are steep. If anybody has experience of this set, I'd be interested to hear - especially if you can offer information about the two different issues. As far as I know, the first was released on 150g vinyl in 1995 and the second on 180g vinyl in 2000.
2). Bill Evans - The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings 1961: again, a good fit with my collection - I only have a Japanese re-issue of Waltz for Debbie, the original pressings are pricey and this set has lots of alternative takes that weren't released at the time. My reservation about this set is that, apparently, it's sourced from digital masters rather than the original analogue tapes.
If you were me, what would you do?
|
|
|
|
Post by Rich on Sept 8, 2015 14:14:39 GMT
That Coltrane box set sounds good to me. It has three of my favorite Coltrane albums in it: Giant Steps, My Favorite Things, and Coltrane's Sound. However, relatively speaking, Giant Steps is the only album in that box set for which I'd say an original is 'expensive'. NM mono copies of any other LP in there would probably be between $100-200 USD, which I'm sure you know is on the 'cheap' end for our hobby. For what it's worth, I have a purple and orange mono copy of Giant Steps that sounds great.
I'm actually not a big fan of Evans so I have no input on that one. Happy early birthday!
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Sept 8, 2015 14:37:09 GMT
Yes, Rich, Giant Steps was very much as the forefront of my mind when thinking about expensive originals - especially the black label mono or the blue/green bullseye label stereo. Later pressings are, of course, an option. I had this vague idea that if I had the box set that would help me decide which of the records were the ones where I would end up coveting an original.
|
|
|
|
Post by dottorjazz on Sept 8, 2015 19:47:31 GMT
I can't help re sound quality because I have all Trane Atlantic on original vinyl and The Heavyweight Champion on cds, no vinyl reissue. Evans: I've got The complete Riverside recordings on a reissue mega box of 18 LPs which sounds great. it was a 5000 limited edition back in 1984. gorgeous booklet too. happy birthday!    |
|
|
|
Post by alunsevern on Sept 9, 2015 18:13:05 GMT
[...] The two I'm considering are: 1). John Coltrane - The Heavyweight Champion: it's a complete set of Atlantic recordings and would fit well with my current collection because I don't actually own that much Coltrane and also the prices for original first (and even second) pressings are steep. If anybody has experience of this set, I'd be interested to hear - especially if you can offer information about the two different issues. As far as I know, the first was released on 150g vinyl in 1995 and the second on 180g vinyl in 2000. 2). Bill Evans - The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings 1961: again, a good fit with my collection - I only have a Japanese re-issue of Waltz for Debbie, the original pressings are pricey and this set has lots of alternative takes that weren't released at the time. My reservation about this set is that, apparently, it's sourced from digital masters rather than the original analogue tapes. If you were me, what would you do? Martin, I don't have an axe to grind here (or a dog in this fight, as they say), but the Evans gets a poor review by Fremer on Analog Planet (if you care about this kind of thing). I also found a review of Heavyweight Champ here that complains a little about the stereo mastering. I would probably go for the Evans box set if I didn't already have what may well be the same digital source on CD. I might suggest something entirely different... Perhaps two or three (or four or five?) of the Music Matters 33.3 reissues. For my money, these are Blue Notes done to an extraordinary level of production and finish. You can find them at lots of places but here's a UK stockist and those presently available are clearly marked. |
|
|
|
Post by Rich on Sept 9, 2015 18:25:03 GMT
I concur RE: The Music Matters Blue Notes, Alun.
I guess it makes sense that the Coltrane box is stereo, and though they're old-fashioned 'wide stereo' mixes, I like them.
|
|
|
|
Post by gst on Sept 10, 2015 15:39:55 GMT
I concur RE: The Music Matters Blue Notes, Alun. I guess it makes sense that the Coltrane box is stereo, and though they're old-fashioned 'wide stereo' mixes, I like them. I'll third that on Music Matters. I'll also throw out Oscar Peterson - Exclusively For My Friends. Don't have it, but it looks interesting. |
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Sept 11, 2015 12:46:04 GMT
I don't have an axe to grind here (or a dog in this fight, as they say), but the Evans gets a poor review by Fremer on Analog Planet (if you care about this kind of thing). I also found a review of Heavyweight Champ here that complains a little about the stereo mastering. I would probably go for the Evans box set if I didn't already have what may well be the same digital source on CD. No axe for me either Alan, hence seeking opinion. Strictly speaking the Fremer article isn't a review because he hadn't actually listened to the set. Rather he was stating his pre-conception based on knowledge that "the transfers were done at 44.1K/24 bit". However, I'd probably be similarly concerned. That's why, at present, I'm leaning towards the Coltrane set which is known to be mastered from the original analogue tapes. The Coltrane review you mentioned is mildly critical on that score - but it's more of an acknowledgement for the uninitiated that stereo spread was, shall we say, unsubtle in those days. Personally, I'm not too put off by that though I know some among us prefer mono for precisely this reason. Anyway, still plenty of time for people to wade in with further recommendations and reviews. |
|
|
|
Post by alunsevern on Sept 11, 2015 13:13:55 GMT
Martin, I agree -- I don't think either of the reviews would really constitute a reason for not buying these, if they were what one really wanted. Personally, however, I'd still consider Music Matters 33.3 titles -- partly because they are so marvellously done, and partly -- which I previously forgot to mention -- because I don't really like box sets. They always seem like a good idea but on the occasions I have had them, I have for some reason found there 'big box' arrangement a disincentive rather than an incentive. I'd probably prefer to acquire individual records slowly as they crop up... But that's just my view. If you want all the key Coltrane titles, then CHAMP looks like a good way to do that. Enjoy whatever you finally decide on.
|
|
|
|
Post by alunsevern on Sept 27, 2015 9:44:59 GMT
Martin -- what did you decide on? The world is waiting...
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Oct 5, 2015 12:26:17 GMT
Sorry for the tardy reply Alun. The truth is that the jury is still out. A couple of weeks left though...
|
|
|
|
Post by alunsevern on Oct 12, 2015 8:31:44 GMT
Oh, I see -- that birthday is sloooow in rolling round  |
|
|
|
Post by gst on Nov 16, 2015 15:59:35 GMT
|
|
