Larry Archibald
LIKE AS A HART: Psalms & Spiritual Songs
Joseph Flummerfelt, Westminster Choir College of Rider University
Chesky CD138 (CD only). 1996. David Chesky, prod.; Norman Chesky, exec. prod.; Bob Katz, eng. DDD. TT: 75:01 I'm not generally one to recommend records from audiophile labels. To some extent that's because audiophile releases get a lot of attention in these pages without my contributions---but it's also because most audiophile CDs fail to capture my interest. I wouldn't go so far as JGH---"the better the recording, the worse the performance"---but I just…
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Robert Baird
PROFESSOR LONGHAIR: Crawfish Fiesta
Alligator ALCD 4718 (CD only). 1980. Bruce Iglauer, Andy Kaslow, Allison Kaslow, Mac Rebennack, prods.; Freddie Breitberg, Skip Goodwin, engs. ???. TT: 42:35
Released on the day before his death in 1980, this disc is as close as anyone ever got to capturing Fess's live energy on tape. Everything clicked for this swan song: His voice was never better, his playing was sharp and imaginative, quick tempos and strict arrangements kept the sessions from dragging, the band was tight (with Dr. John on guitar, and a horn section of two…
PROFESSOR LONGHAIR: Crawfish Fiesta
Alligator ALCD 4718 (CD only). 1980. Bruce Iglauer, Andy Kaslow, Allison Kaslow, Mac Rebennack, prods.; Freddie Breitberg, Skip Goodwin, engs. ???. TT: 42:35
Released on the day before his death in 1980, this disc is as close as anyone ever got to capturing Fess's live energy on tape. Everything clicked for this swan song: His voice was never better, his playing was sharp and imaginative, quick tempos and strict arrangements kept the sessions from dragging, the band was tight (with Dr. John on guitar, and a horn section of two…
Lonnie Brownell
THE SILOS: The Silos
RCA 2051-1-R (LP), 2051-2 (CD only). 1990. Peter Moore, Bob Rupe, and Walter-Salas Humara, prods.; Peter Moore and Peter Yianilos, eng. ???. TT: 41:01
I've had discussions with other serious listeners as to whether or not this is an "audiophile" album. If you see that genre as being populated by recordings of somewhat dubious musical content, but with flashy, impressive, and only occasionally really real-sounding voices and instruments, then you probably won't classify this as an audiophile album. However, if a record that sounds like a live…
THE SILOS: The Silos
RCA 2051-1-R (LP), 2051-2 (CD only). 1990. Peter Moore, Bob Rupe, and Walter-Salas Humara, prods.; Peter Moore and Peter Yianilos, eng. ???. TT: 41:01
I've had discussions with other serious listeners as to whether or not this is an "audiophile" album. If you see that genre as being populated by recordings of somewhat dubious musical content, but with flashy, impressive, and only occasionally really real-sounding voices and instruments, then you probably won't classify this as an audiophile album. However, if a record that sounds like a live…
Robert Deutsch
RAGTIME: The Musical
Music by Stephen Flaherty. Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. 1996 Toronto Cast. Ted Sperling, cond.
RCA Victor 68629-2 (CD only). 1996. Jay David Saks, prod.; James P. Nichols, eng. DDD. TT: 62:07 In my full review of Ragtime, I called it my personal Recording of the Year, so I'd be less than consistent if I didn't also choose it as one of this year's R2D4s. The fact is, I still find Ragtime an exciting and at times profoundly moving work. Despite having listened to the CD at least a dozen times, I'm apt to find tears coming to my eyes during the reprise…
RAGTIME: The Musical
Music by Stephen Flaherty. Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. 1996 Toronto Cast. Ted Sperling, cond.
RCA Victor 68629-2 (CD only). 1996. Jay David Saks, prod.; James P. Nichols, eng. DDD. TT: 62:07 In my full review of Ragtime, I called it my personal Recording of the Year, so I'd be less than consistent if I didn't also choose it as one of this year's R2D4s. The fact is, I still find Ragtime an exciting and at times profoundly moving work. Despite having listened to the CD at least a dozen times, I'm apt to find tears coming to my eyes during the reprise…
Michael Fremer
ANN ARBOR BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL 1972
Atlantic SD 2-502 (2 LPs only). 1972. Michael Cuscuna, Tunc Erim, prods.; Jimmy Douglass, prod., eng.; George Piros, mastering. AAA. TT: ca 84:00
Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Dr. John, Junior Walker, Bonnie Raitt (with and without) Sippie Wallace, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Freddie King, Luther Allison, Johnny Shines, Otis Rush, and Sun Ra & His Solar-Myth Arkestra---all recorded live outdoors by Jimmy Douglass and mastered by George Piros. Reissued on Seedee? I don't know. If it has been, get…
ANN ARBOR BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL 1972
Atlantic SD 2-502 (2 LPs only). 1972. Michael Cuscuna, Tunc Erim, prods.; Jimmy Douglass, prod., eng.; George Piros, mastering. AAA. TT: ca 84:00
Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Dr. John, Junior Walker, Bonnie Raitt (with and without) Sippie Wallace, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Freddie King, Luther Allison, Johnny Shines, Otis Rush, and Sun Ra & His Solar-Myth Arkestra---all recorded live outdoors by Jimmy Douglass and mastered by George Piros. Reissued on Seedee? I don't know. If it has been, get…
Robert Harley
MOZART: Piano Concertos 21 & 24, K.467 & K.491
Eugene Istomin, piano; Gerard Schwarz, Seattle Symphony Orchestra
Reference Recordings RR-68CD (CD only). 1996. Adam Stern, J. Tamblyn Henderson Jr., prods; Keith O. Johnson, eng. DDD.TT: 59:34 This is one of those rare recordings of the highest musical and sonic integrity. Pianist Istomin's bold interpretation of these two colossal works infuses the music with a wonderful expressive quality. The Seattle Symphony is also in top form, developing a rapport with Istomin that brings life and vibrancy to the pieces…
MOZART: Piano Concertos 21 & 24, K.467 & K.491
Eugene Istomin, piano; Gerard Schwarz, Seattle Symphony Orchestra
Reference Recordings RR-68CD (CD only). 1996. Adam Stern, J. Tamblyn Henderson Jr., prods; Keith O. Johnson, eng. DDD.TT: 59:34 This is one of those rare recordings of the highest musical and sonic integrity. Pianist Istomin's bold interpretation of these two colossal works infuses the music with a wonderful expressive quality. The Seattle Symphony is also in top form, developing a rapport with Istomin that brings life and vibrancy to the pieces…
Barbara Jahn
PROKOFIEV: Romeo & Juliet, Op.75; Cinderella, Opp.95 & 97; 3 Pieces for Piano, Op.96
Frederic Chiu, piano
Harmonia Mundi 907150 (CD only). 1996. Brad Michel, eng.; Robina G. Young, prod. DDD. TT: 64:22 If you've always considered the piano to be a percussion instrument, then this disc will make you think again. Admittedly Prokofiev made these transcripts and was a stunning pianist with a reputation for "steel fingers, steel wrists, steel biceps, [and] steel triceps" that wasn't totally unfounded, but you'll find none of this here. Frederic Chiu is living…
PROKOFIEV: Romeo & Juliet, Op.75; Cinderella, Opp.95 & 97; 3 Pieces for Piano, Op.96
Frederic Chiu, piano
Harmonia Mundi 907150 (CD only). 1996. Brad Michel, eng.; Robina G. Young, prod. DDD. TT: 64:22 If you've always considered the piano to be a percussion instrument, then this disc will make you think again. Admittedly Prokofiev made these transcripts and was a stunning pianist with a reputation for "steel fingers, steel wrists, steel biceps, [and] steel triceps" that wasn't totally unfounded, but you'll find none of this here. Frederic Chiu is living…
Robert Levine
ROSSINI: Gugliemo Tell
Sherrill Milnes, Tell; Lucinao Pavarotti, Arnold; Mirella Freni, Matilde; Nicolai Ghiaurov, Gualtiero; others; Ambrosian Opera Chorus, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
London 417 154-2 (4 CDs only). 1978-79. James Mallinson, Michael Haas, prods. ADD. TT: 3:54:44 It doesn't get much better than this: Rossini's final stage work in all its glory (albeit in Italian translation---only the fussy and the French would complain), recorded in 1978-79, when all the principals were at their peak. The sound is big and roomy (as is the…
ROSSINI: Gugliemo Tell
Sherrill Milnes, Tell; Lucinao Pavarotti, Arnold; Mirella Freni, Matilde; Nicolai Ghiaurov, Gualtiero; others; Ambrosian Opera Chorus, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
London 417 154-2 (4 CDs only). 1978-79. James Mallinson, Michael Haas, prods. ADD. TT: 3:54:44 It doesn't get much better than this: Rossini's final stage work in all its glory (albeit in Italian translation---only the fussy and the French would complain), recorded in 1978-79, when all the principals were at their peak. The sound is big and roomy (as is the…
Wes Phillips
JAMES BROWN: Live and Lowdown at the Apollo, Vol.1
Solid Smoke 8006 (LP). 1962 AAA.
A banner stretching across the bottom of the Solid Smoke reissue (my King original was nearly totally flayed of its grooves through constant play more than 20 years ago) proclaims this to be the greatest live show ever recorded. Who am I to argue?
JAMES BROWN: Live and Lowdown at the Apollo, Vol.1
Solid Smoke 8006 (LP). 1962 AAA.
A banner stretching across the bottom of the Solid Smoke reissue (my King original was nearly totally flayed of its grooves through constant play more than 20 years ago) proclaims this to be the greatest live show ever recorded. Who am I to argue?
From the MC's exhortation of the crowd ("Now, ladies and gennlemen, national and international known as the hardest working man in show bidness...") to the final audience accolade, this record re-creates the excitement and superlative…
Richard J. Rosen
JOHN COLTRANE: My Favorite Things
John Coltrane, soprano & tenor saxes; McCoy Tyner, piano; Steve Davis, bass; Elvin Jones, drums
Atlantic 1361 (LP). Nesuhi Ertegun, prod.; Tom Dowd, Phil Iehle, engs. AAA. 1961. TT: 41:26
JOHN COLTRANE: The Heavyweight Champion---The Complete Atlantic Recordings
Rhino/Atlantic R1/R2 71984 (12 LPs, 7 CDs). 1995. Nesuhi Ertegun, prod.; Joel Dorn, compilation prod. ADA/ADD. TT: 4:78:34
The title track of My Favorite Things is easily one of my fav---well, you know. Who else could take such an unlikely, sickly-…
JOHN COLTRANE: My Favorite Things
John Coltrane, soprano & tenor saxes; McCoy Tyner, piano; Steve Davis, bass; Elvin Jones, drums
Atlantic 1361 (LP). Nesuhi Ertegun, prod.; Tom Dowd, Phil Iehle, engs. AAA. 1961. TT: 41:26
JOHN COLTRANE: The Heavyweight Champion---The Complete Atlantic Recordings
Rhino/Atlantic R1/R2 71984 (12 LPs, 7 CDs). 1995. Nesuhi Ertegun, prod.; Joel Dorn, compilation prod. ADA/ADD. TT: 4:78:34
The title track of My Favorite Things is easily one of my fav---well, you know. Who else could take such an unlikely, sickly-…