Post
by littlepokey » Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:42 am
I don't know if vintage jazz is fair game or not here, but had to chime in. I am well aware that at the time, recording technology was sketchy at best, yet some of my all time favorite albums were done during this period. It's funny that Rudy Van Gelder gets the mysterious, voodoo rap that he does regarding recordings, because although he really did make some stunningly beautiful albums, I would consider him the most inconsistent engineer of all time. Some really sounded like shit. Some, however, were surprisingly beautiful and ahead of their time. On the shit side...
Sonny Rollins With the Modern Jazz Quartet (1953)
Legend has it that this was actually a Miles session, but he didn't show up. Supposedly, RVG asked Sonny to just take the date as a bandleader as he (RVG) had already set mics etc... A completely amazing record, but it sounds like shit. It is surprising to hear Sonny blow with such a mature voice for his first record.
58 Sessions Featuring Stella by Starlight (1958)
Technically, this is a Miles record. Now, I may be wrong, but I think this is the first big recording date that Cannonball Adderly had, and it features Coltrane and Miles. Half Studio, half live album, it all sounds like shit but is truly a stunning fucking album. In all fairness, I should point out that this was a Columbia recording and RVG was not involved.
On the positive side, however, there are some completely remarkable records that sound great (recording-wise) that are pretty old.
Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus (1962)
This is a Vince Guaraldi album(most famous for his Charlie Brown Chistmas music). The album sounds great for the time, with some amazing work by Vince, bassist Monty Budwig (one of my heroes), and drummer Colin Bailey. Excellent musicianship, some truly magical moments captured, and the introduction of many to-be famous songs into the American songbook.
Sahib Shihab Conversations (1963)
This record was recorded live in the Netherlands with soon to be famous 17-year old bassist Niels Henning Orsted Pederson, is amazingly recorded and stands up to many modern recordings not to mention the scary fucking playing that takes place. NHOP is truly a MONSTER player and he was only 17 when this record was made! You know, you will always get your ass kicked around on a gig by some young dude with monster chops, but this guy was just SICK. The funny thing about this record is that you can hear the "crowd" which sound like about 5 drunk people in a small room. And I thought the Europeans loved the jazz. Maybe it was just an off night. Recording quality was top notch though. Why many studio records of this same vintage couldn't stand up to this level of recording quality is a mystery.
Somethin' Else by Cannonball Adderly (1958)
Possibly the most famous jazz album of all time (with the possible exception of Kind of Blue by Miles). This is a masterpiece on all levels. Musical as well as an amazing recording. This is a great recording not only "for the time" but just in general and really set the standard (in my humble opnion) as to what a jazz record should sound like.
Finally (in a seeming non-sequitur) , I just gotta say, that I have recently had a few discussions with people who feel that Tom Waits records are poorly recorded. I would have to respectfully disagree. I strongly feel that every one of his recordings is top shelf. In my opinion, there is a big difference between conscious artistic decision and poorly recorded records. His records have such a crazy/romantic quality that is perfectly captured by a certain lo-fi/sonic-insanity type approach in terms of the style of recording.
Anyway, sorry for the rants and the bla bla bla, I'm going to bed now.
Michael-